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Crisis brews in ATBU over alleged plan to scrap non-science faculties

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Crisis is brewing over an alleged move by the management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, ATBU, Bauchi, to phase out all faculties and programmes not related to science and technology.

Addressing a press conference, the Bauchi State Citizens Forum — made up of professors, lawyers, and civil society activists — condemned the plan, describing it as a “regression” and a “bad omen” for the institution.

The group’s leader, Dr. Abdullahi Yelwa, revealed that a recent meeting between the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and ATBU’s management confirmed the development.

“It is clear that ATBU’s leadership is considering closing faculties such as Management Sciences, which will deny thousands of prospective students, especially those from Bauchi State, the chance to acquire university education,” Yelwa said.

However, ATBU management has dismissed claims that it is planning to scrap certain courses and shut down some faculties and departments in the institution, describing the allegations as unfounded, and a figment of the imagination of those peddling them.

The Director of Information and Public Relations of ATBU, Mr. Zailani Bappa, made the clarification while addressing journalists at the Press Centre of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in Bauchi.

He stressed that the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Hassan, has no intention of scrapping any faculty or discontinuing any academic programme in the university.

“There are essentially two issues raised in the press statement by the Bauchi State Concerned Citizens. None of these allegations is true because the Vice-Chancellor has not taken any such action,” Bappa stated.

He explained that the controversy arose from a recent meeting convened by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who summoned all Vice-Chancellors and Governing Council Chairmen of federal universities and informed them of the Federal Government’s decision to ensure that all universities strictly adhere to their founding mandates.

“As you all know, ATBU was established as a technology-based university. Over time, other management-related courses were introduced. Now, the Federal Government insists that such universities must return to their original mandate. This is not the Vice-Chancellor’s decision, nor that of the Governing Council, but a directive that must be implemented,” he clarified.

On the suspension of funding for the Directorate of Distance Learning, Bappa explained that since most of its programmes are management-related, continuing to fund the directorate under the new policy direction would amount to a waste of resources.

As a result, according to him, funding of the directorate has been temporarily put on hold in line with the Federal Government’s directive.

He therefore appealed for understanding from the Bauchi State Concerned Citizens and other stakeholders, adding that the matter was beyond the Vice-Chancellor and Governing Council, as they lack the power to alter the policy.

Instead, he urged stakeholders to rally support for the senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, Shehu Buba Umar, in his efforts to ensure that the law establishing ATBU as a technology-based institution is amended to allow for a wider range of courses.

According to him, “Unless the law is amended to convert ATBU into a conventional university, there is nothing anyone can do to stop the current process of reverting to the original mandate.”

Education

NANS Vows Action Against Sponsored Misinformation Targeting FUTO, Its Leadership

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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has vowed to take urgent action against some persons it said are cooking up and sponsoring falsehood against the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) and its leadership.

NANS took the position in a release signed by Comr. Olushola Oladoja, NANS President, and Comr. Nduka Chibueze (Paparazzi), NANS Director of Travel and Exchange, and made available to the media on Saturday.

“The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has observed with deep concern the activities of some unscrupulous and mischievous elements who appear to be acting in concert to tarnish the image and credibility of our institution, the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), and its leadership through the circulation of false, misleading and malicious information across various online platforms.

“These individuals, whose actions clearly suggest a calculated agenda driven by selfish interests and external influence, have continued to propagate unfounded claims capable of bringing the institution into disrepute and misleading members of the public.

“It is unfortunate that certain persons have chosen to allow themselves to be used as instruments of propaganda and destabilization against an institution that represents the collective pride and aspiration of thousands of students and alumni.

“We wish to state categorically that such coordinated attempts to blackmail, ridicule, or undermine the institution and its leadership will not be tolerated henceforth. The university’s integrity and reputation must not be sacrificed on the altar of personal interest, sponsored misinformation, or politically motivated attacks.

“The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) remains committed to protecting the image, unity, and values of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), and will continue to resist every desperate attempt aimed at causing disaffection within the institution, using every legitimate mechanism and arsenal within our disposition.

“We have activated the forces of Aluta to identify and expose the charlatans involved. Our aim is to deal with them in a manner that serves the overall interest of our institution. This should act as a deterrent to anyone whose actions are aimed at destroying the institutional reputation we all worked to build. Forewarned is forearmed,” NANS maintained.

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NYSC Official Arrested Over Female Corper’s D3ath After Abortion

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An official of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ogun State, Abass Olalekan, has been arrested in connection with the de@th of a female corps member.

The corps member, Victoria Ariyo, serving under the Abeokuta South Local Government Area (LGA) of the NYSC, reportedly d!ed last Tuesday after undergoing abortion.

It was gathered that the corps member had terminated her pregnancy and d!ed from complications that followed the procedure.

Her remains were buried at Kobape Cemetery on Kobape-Sagamu Road in Abeokuta.

According to Daily Trust, Ariyo’s d3ath came barely a month after another female corps member, Adeleye Mary, d!ed in what has been described as mysterious circumstance.

Mary, who was serving under the same Abeokuta South LG, was attached to the Ogun State Television (OGTV) as her Place of Primary Assignment (PPA).

A source told the publication that both deceased corps members were friends.

“The first lady d!ed at her residence, which is not far from her PPA. They found her lifeless body in the apartment and, up till now, nobody can tell the cause of her d3ath,” the source said.

However, the second corps member who d!ed on Tuesday was said to have died from complications arising from an abortion procedure.

It was alleged that the NYSC official, who is the Local Government Inspector (LGI) for Abeokuta South, Abass Olalekan was culpable in the process leading to the corps member’s d3ath.

Sources told the publication that the LGI was allegedly involved in a romantic relationship with the deceased, which eventually led to pregnancy, and it was the termination that led to her d3ath.

“That is the fact in issue,” a police source who confirmed the NYSC official’s arrest told Daily Trust on Thursday.

The police source said the development raises questions about the legality of romancing “someone that should be in your care.”

Confirming Olalekan’s arrest, the source said, “He is in our custody at the command’s headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta.”

The police source, however, said there is no connection between the current incident and the one that occurred last month.

Spokesperson for the police in the state, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed death of Ariyo and said that the investigation was ongoing.

However, he failed to respond to questions on the arrest of the LGI and the alleged involvement.

“I can confirm that the case of the demise of Victoria Ariyo is under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department,” Babaseyi said in a terse statement.

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Teacher Reportedly Suspended In Kebbi After Rejecting Ramadan Palliative

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A classroom teacher in Kebbi State, Abduljalal Usman, has reportedly been suspended for three months without salary after rejecting a Ramadan palliative reportedly distributed by the state government.

The teacher allegedly declined the offer of one mudu of maize and one mudu of millet and also criticized what he described as poor governance in the state.

According to claims circulating online, the action was taken under the administration of Nasir Idris, prompting criticism from some commentators who described the suspension as an attempt to silence dissent and punish a public worker for speaking out.

Critics argue that educators deserve better working conditions, fair compensation, and respect, rather than disciplinary action for expressing their views.

@Mallam_jabeer who shared the report, said …

“A classroom teacher in Kebbi, Abduljalal Usman has been suspended for 3 months without salary simply for rejecting one mudu of maize and one mudu of millet offered as Ramadan palliative from the government and for speaking out against the bad governance.

 

Under the leadership of
@NasiridrisKG
, the Kebbi State Government is now punishing teachers for refusing humiliation and for criticizing the weaponization of poverty.

This is bias, incompetence and total abuse of power.

 

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