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Professors Reject Aisha Maikudi As UNIABUJA Vice-Chancellor, Walkout At Senate Meeting
Some members of the University of Abuja Senate, on Wednesday, staged a walkout protest during their regular meeting.
It was learned that trouble began when a professor raised a point of order after Vice Chancellor Prof. Aisha Maikudi’s opening remark, highlighting the need to add an important item to the meeting agenda for discussion.
While addressing concerns such as the unprovoked attack on Senate members on December 23, 2024, by vigilante group members and the questionable selection process that allowed Aisha Maikudi to succeed herself as Vice Chancellor, the professor was shouted down and his microphone was taken away before he could finish, an insider told SaharaReporters.
Due to the low attendance of Senate members, some of the senators walked out, arguing that the process that appointed Maikudi was flawed and violated the stipulated guidelines for appointing a Vice Chancellor. They asserted that she is illegitimate to preside over the meeting.
The source said: “The Senate of the University of Abuja met today upon notice of regular meeting which was disseminated three days ago to Senate members.
“After the opening remark by Aisha Maikudi, a professor on the floor of the Senate raised a point of order to draw the attention of the Senate to the need to include an important item on the agenda of the meeting for deliberation, namely, the callous attack on Senate members by men of vigilante group in December 2024.
“He also observed that even at that moment, there was an unusual presence of a large number of vigilantes around the Senate Chambers. This ugly development is an indication that there is tension in the University.
“This tension is not unconnected to the deep-seated disaffection of a good number of Senate members on the fraudulent selection process that paved the way for Aisha Maikudi to succeed herself as substantive Vice-Chancellor.
“The professor was shouted down and the microphone taken from him before he could conclude his point order.”
Equally worrisome, the source said was the presence of non-academic staff members in the Senate Chambers, who pretended to be part of the secretariat support in the Senate.
“The poor attendance at today’s meeting also point to the unabating trepidation of a good number of professors about their security at the Senate Chambers.
“Many members of Senate eventually staged a walk out. It is therefore no longer in doubt that the University of Abuja is progressively degenerating into anything other than what a university system should be.”
The source warned that the consequences of the deteriorating situation at the university, if left unaddressed, are better imagined.
The source said, “Already, morale of academic staff is on record low level. Senior professors considered that the foisting of Aisha Maikudi, with only two years post-professorial experience as substantive vice chancellor is a huge disincentive to hard work, commitment to scholarship and patience in academic career of the university.”
A professor who was among the Senate members who staged a walkout told SaharaReporters that there was no protest “but the progressives did quietly leave the meeting because it was militarised with a desired aim”.
“We are waiting for the decisions taken therein,” the don said.
Meanwhile, 43 professors who are members of the University of Abuja have written an open letter to the President Bola Tinubu, who is the visitor to the university, calling for his urgent intervention before the situation gets out of hand.
The open letter is titled: “Anarchy Looms at the University of Abuja over the Illegal Appointment of Prof. Aisha Maikudi as Vice-Chancellor.”
The Senate members called on the President to remove the Chairman of Council, AVM Sadiq Kaita, accusing him of demonstrating gross incompetence and abuse of due process along with the Vice Chancellor, Maikudi so that UNIABUJA can move forward.
They said, “We, the undersigned 43 Professors and members of Senate of the University of Abuja feel compelled to bring to Your Excellency’s attention our concerns regarding the gross irregularities, blatant disregard for due process, violations of relevant laws and regulations, favouritism, abuse of privileges, undue interference, and lack of fairness that marred the selection process for the Vice-Chancellorship of the University of Abuja.
“These lapses culminated in the unfortunate imposition of Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi, the least qualified applicant as the substantive Vice-Chancellor. Such events not only undermine the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President but also risk setting a dangerous precedent for other Governing Councils in appointing Vice-Chancellors across Nigerian universities.
“UNIABUJA is now the laughing stock of both the national and international academic communities. This petition is of urgent national importance because the two most important governing and administrative machinery of the University are now completely grounded. These are the Governing Council and the Senate of the University of Abuja.”
They explained that the Council can no longer function effectively because three out of the five federal government appointed representatives have vowed not to have anything to do with the Chairman, AVM Sadiq Ismail Kaita.
They said, “These three external members – Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye, Hon. Sabo Bappayo Ahmed and Mrs. Chisom Obih, boycotted the last Council meeting that was scheduled for 5.00pm on New Year’s Eve- December 31, 2024. It was at this oddly and strangely convened meeting that Prof. Aisha Maikudi was hand-picked and foisted as Vice Chancellor on the University.
“In fact, the three external members of Council demanded for the agenda for the meeting but it was never made available to them. As far as these members of Council are concerned, they are unaware and have not been informed of the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor for UNIABUJA.
“AVM Sadiq Kaita’s apparent leadership failure is also responsible for the failure of the Governing Council to appoint a substantive Registrar for the university after almost seven months.
“This appointment, which is long overdue, is now in limbo because, technically, there is no functional Council in place. Staff promotion and appointment cases are stuck since Council has abdicated its responsibility.”
They also noted that Senate has not been able to meet because the supposed Chairman of Senate suffers from a crisis of legitimacy having been rejected by almost 50 Senate members because of her lack of requisite qualifications and experience for the office.
“Besides, the process that ushered her in was fundamentally flawed morally, legally and administratively,” they said.
“Critical decisions relating to the 2024/2025 admission exercise, approval of students’ results, approval of the academic calendar and other sundry academic issues, which fall under the purview of Senate, have been left unattended to several months after students’ resumption to campus.
“Everything is currently at a standstill and the illegal occupant of the Vice Chancellorship office is busy running from pillar to post, crisscrossing the country – even by chartered flights – lobbying for acceptance and legitimacy from eminent traditional rulers and top politicians.
“UNIABUJA’s meagre resources and taxpayers’ money, which are sometimes beyond the approval limit of the so-called Vice Chancellor, are being recklessly expended on an illegitimate pursuit that will ultimately collapse like a pack of cards.”
After reeling out other infractions, the professors appealed to the President to treat the matter as an urgent national importance.
News
JUST IN 2025 Ramadan: Sultan Makes New Announcement For Muslims
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, in collaboration with the National Moon Sighting Committee, has confirmed that there were no verified sightings of the crescent moon marking the beginning of Sha’aban 1446AH.
This announcement holds significant importance for Muslims in Nigeria, as Sha’aban is the last month before Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam.
Official Declaration of Sha’aban 1446AH
In a formal statement, Sambo Wali Junaidu, the Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, disclosed that no credible reports of moon sightings were received from moon sighting committees across the country.
As a result, Thursday, January 30, 2025, will be observed as the 30th day of Rajab 1446AH, while Friday, January 31, 2025, has been officially declared as the first day of Sha’aban 1446AH.
Sultan of Sokoto Endorses the Decision
The declaration was formally endorsed by His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
“The confirmation of Sha’aban’s commencement is crucial, as it ensures consistency in the Islamic calendar and helps guide religious observances for Muslims across the country,” the statement emphasized.
Call for Spiritual Preparation for Ramadan
In light of this development, the Sultanate Council has advised Nigerian Muslims to adhere to official moon sighting announcements and begin spiritual preparations for Ramadan.
Sha’aban is considered a sacred month in Islam, often dedicated to increased prayers, fasting, and self-reflection in anticipation of Ramadan, which is set to begin in the coming weeks.
The Council reiterated the importance of unity and adherence to Islamic traditions, urging Muslims to take advantage of Sha’aban for spiritual purification and devotion.
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JAMB Suspends Law Programs in Eight Universities, Including KWASU and Redeemers.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that it will no longer conduct admissions for the Law program in eight universities. This decision was made following the suspension of the Bachelor of Laws program by the Council of Legal Education for the 2025/2026 academic session at the affected universities.
The affected institutions are:
– *Kwara State University*, Malete, Ilorin, Kwara State
– *Bingham University*, Karu, Nasarawa State
– *Redeemers University*, Ede, Osun State
– *Western Delta University*, Oghara, Delta State
– *Taraba State University*, Jalingo, Taraba State
– *Arthur Jarvis University*, Akpabuyo, Cross River State
– *Alex Ekwueme Federal University*, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State
– *Nigerian Police Academy*, Wudil, Kano State
According to JAMB spokesman, Fabian Benjamin, the suspension of the Law programme at the Nigerian Police Academy will last for two academic sessions, specifically the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 sessions.
“As a result, JAMB will not approve any admissions for candidates seeking to enroll in the Law program at the aforementioned universities for the 2025/2026 academic session. Furthermore, the ban on registration for the Law program at the Nigerian Police Academy will extend into the 2026/2027 academic session,” the statement concluded.
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Ex-President Jacob Zuma’s daughter arrested over South Africa riots
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, has been arrested over her alleged involvement in the 2021 riots that left over 300 people dead, police say.
Violence, chaos, and fear ripped through the port city of Durban, then spread to Gauteng, after Zuma’s jailing sparked intense protests over four years ago.
Zuma-Sambudla, a controversial figure in her own right, was accused of sharing incendiary social media posts that fuelled the civil unrest.
The arrest comes as a “result of a meticulous investigation” said spokesperson for the Hawks elite police unit, Brig Thandi Mbambo.
Zuma-Sambudla handed herself in to Durban Central police station on Thursday morning to face charges under the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Act and incitement to commit violence, police said.
Her father’s party uMkhonto WeSizwe (MK), of which she is a senior member, confirmed her court appearance and urged supporters to “mobilize all ground forces to attend in numbers.”
While she has not commented directly on the charges, Zuma-Sambudla shared a cryptic note on X that simply said: “We see you.”
MK party spokesperson Nhlamule Ndhela told local broadcaster ENCA she had long been preparing for this moment
“She conditioned herself, because there have been many threats about her imminent arrest for the past three or four years,” he said.
He added that she will abide by the law as “a law-abiding citizen”.
This is not the first time her name has been brought up in connection to the 2021 riots, which are considered one of the bloodiest episodes in post-apartheid South Africa.
Zuma resigned as president in 2018 after nine years in office, plagued by corruption allegations, which he claimed were part of a political conspiracy.
Three years later, he was sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of court after refusing to testify before a panel investigating corruption under his presidency.
Protests erupted after he surrendered to serve his sentence.
During the unrest, Zuma-Sambudla was outspoken on X, frequently sharing images of the destruction and chaos, accompanied by the caption: “KZN, we see you.”
She used this phrase often throughout the violence. In a now deleted post, she shared a video of someone firing an automatic rifle at a poster of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
In 2022, Brig Mbambo , told local media they were not directly investigating her, but she had been named in statements from sources.
In response to this, Zuma-Sambudla said on X, “I have no fear! I will not be intimidated! I have beaten the dogs, now the masters are coming out! We see you!”
At the same time, the Jacob Zuma Foundation, said in a statement the former president’s children were being targeted.
Last year, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) released a report that said the riots were a “carefully orchestrated event”.
But it said it could find no direct link to Zuma’s arrest.
In 2023, a former security guard was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in the deadly riots.
He was the first person to be prosecuted for the riots.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, who succeeded Jacob Zuma in 2018, described the violence as an “attempted insurrection”.
More than 200 shopping malls were looted and more than 150,000 jobs were estimated to have been lost during the unrest, which lasted for several days.
Last year, Zuma’s MK ran against his former party, the ANC, in elections, gaining 15% of the vote to become the country’s third largest party
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