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Extortion: College students groan as lecturers dare C’River Govt

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Despite the stern warning handed down by the Cross River State government, the College of Health Technology Calabar is still allegedly collecting unapproved levies.

About two weeks ago, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry  Egbe Ayuk came down hard against alleged illegal levies imposed on students at the Ogoja College of Nursing Sciences, describing the situation as an outrageous abuse of trust and a betrayal of government standards.

A viral video, widely circulated on social media, had exposed what appeared to be extortion of students, backed by no evidence of payments.

The scandal had ignited widespread outrage among parents, students, and the general public, with many calling for urgent action.

As a result, the commissioner issued a directive ordering an immediate stop to the illegal collections across all state health institutions.

He further mandated that all unjustified payments be fully refunded to the affected students without excuses.

The Health Commissioner, enraged by the revelations, announced that a full panel of inquiry would be established to unearth the depth of the rot and bring the perpetrators to book.

He had advised that any institution engaged in such shameful acts must halt it immediately and return all illegal collections to the victims.

However, findings at the College of Health Technology, Calabar, revealed that lecturers and examiners have paid no heed to the warning.

Students in both the National Diploma and Higher National Diploma, taking part in the ongoing examinations, are allegedly being compelled to individually cough out between N10,000 and N15,000 to lecturers to ‘sort’ courses, else they risk failing such courses.

More findings revealed that several others are also compelled to buy handouts or books authored by particular lecturers which, they claimed, they had already bought in previous classes.

Some of the students told DAILY POST that the extortion had continued, adding that they had complained several times to the school authorities, including heads of departments for intervention, to no avail.

The students said a few days ago, they had challenged a particular lecturer who came to exam class, insisting that they must each pay N15,000 for his course or risk failure.

“We see this as significant extortion. Many of us have paid our school fees and other official charges, like departmental fees, yet we are still burdened with compulsory and illegal fees which we can’t afford.

“In our class, we are over 50. If you multiply N15,000 by that number you will be surprised by the staggering amount somebody will go home with, an amount that is not his monthly salary.

“Of course, some of us have stamped our feet. We won’t pay.  We’ll resist intimidation and excessive extortion,” one of them said.

Another female student alleged that many of the lecturers hardly attended classes yet they would demand money to ‘sort’ their courses.

According to him, there is too much corruption in the school.

An official in the office of the provost who gave his name as Dr John denied that the school authorized such illegal extortion.

“It is not true that the school authorities have knowledge of such demands allegedly placed by some lecturers.

“The school has usually cautioned against any form of extortion.

“I am sure that such allegations will be looked into by the school”, he said.

Education

FG Bans Admission, Transfer Of SS3 Students

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The Federal Government has announced a nationwide ban on the admission and transfer of students into Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) in all public and private schools, beginning from the 2026/27 academic session.

The announcement, signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, said the directive was part of efforts to curb examination malpractice and restore credibility to Nigeria’s education system.

“The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education, has announced a nationwide prohibition on the admission and transfer of students into Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) in all public and private secondary schools,” the statement read.

According to the ministry, the policy follows growing concerns over the increasing incidence of malpractice, including the use of so‑called special centres during external examinations.

It explained that admissions and transfers will now be restricted strictly to Senior Secondary School One (SS1) and Senior Secondary School Two (SS2). “Admission or transfer into SS3 will no longer be permitted under any circumstance,” the ministry stated.

Officials said the measure is aimed at discouraging last‑minute movement of students for examination‑related advantages, ensuring proper academic monitoring, and promoting continuity in teaching and learning.

School proprietors, principals, and administrators nationwide have been directed to comply fully with the policy.

The ministry warned that any violation would attract sanctions in line with existing education regulations and guidelines.

Reaffirming government’s commitment, the statement added: “The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to maintaining academic standards, promoting fairness, and restoring credibility to public examinations across the country.”

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Education

How Fulani Militias Attacked Taraba Community, K!lled My Father, Four Relatives — Grieving NYSC Member Cries Out (Video)

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Orkeghen Philip Aondofa, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has cried out for help, alleging that armed Fulani herders carried out a de@dly attack on his village — New-Gboko (Nyugoko) in the Peva–Chanchanji Ward of Takum Local Government Area, Taraba State.

They reportedly k!lled his father and four other members of his family.

Philip, who is currently serving in Enugu State, recounted the horror in an emotional interview with SaharaReporters, saying the Taraba State government has remained silent while k!llings continue across communities in Chanchanji ward.

According to him, the attackers, whom he repeatedly referred to as “herders ”, invaded the community on November 27, 2025, unleashing violence that forced all surviving residents to flee.

He said the assailants are still occupying the village, preventing him from retrieving his father’s corpse for burial.

“Right now, as I speak to you, the k!lling is all over Chanchanji ward in Takum LGA of Taraba State. The Taraba State Government is silent about it,” he said.

The corps member said one of the attackers used his late father’s phone to call him after the massacre — only to confess to k!lling him.

“After the attack, one of them took my father’s phone and called me. When I asked where the owner of the phone was, he told me, he k!lled my father directly. I broke down and ended the call,” he said.

Philip said the inability to recover his father’s remains has left him in deeper anguish.

“What pains me the most now is how I will get my father’s corpse to bury. Those herders are still there in the village. There is nobody left in my village.”

The corps member said he is nearing the end of his service year but now feels completely stranded and without hope.

“After my service, I don’t know where to go. I don’t know where to start. I am calling on the Federal Government and those concerned to come to my aid. I am broke, I am hopeless. I don’t have anywhere to go; everything is gone. I have lost hope.”

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Education

TETFund Unveils Plan for Nationwide Security Overhaul in Tertiary Institutions

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The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced a major initiative to strengthen security across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education in Nigeria. As part of the new move, the Fund is developing a comprehensive security master plan aimed at addressing the growing threats facing campuses nationwide.

According to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the framework will serve as a unified guide for preventing, managing, and responding to security breaches within tertiary institutions. He noted that the rising cases of attacks, kidnappings, and other safety concerns have made it imperative to adopt a coordinated national approach to protect students, staff, and infrastructure.

The proposed security master plan is expected to involve collaboration with security agencies, education stakeholders, and institution managers to ensure effective implementation across the country.

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