TheNewsGuru

Tag: Lecturer

  • 8 suspects in police net over alleged murder of UNIMAID lecturer

    8 suspects in police net over alleged murder of UNIMAID lecturer

    The police in Borno confirmed the arrest of eight suspects  in connection to the alledged murder of Dr Kamar Abdulkadir, a Lecturer of the Department of Physical Health Education, at the University of Maiduguri.

    Abdulkadir was  murdered in his office on campus on Sunday by unknown attackers who sneaked into his office.

    The victim was found on Monday with several injuries inflicted on his body by his killer.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nahun Daso, told newsmen that the attackers also carted away tthe lecturer’s vehicle, phone and laptop.

    “We reviewed the CCTV Camera and saw them going out of the University with the deceased’s vehicle. However, the quality of the video was very poor so we could not see the number of people that were inside the car,”he said.

    He explained that investigation was still ongoing into the matter.

    Reacting, Prof Danjuma Gambo, the Director of Radio and Public Relations who spoke on behalf of the vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Abdullahi Shugaba, said the police and other security agencies have already launched an investigation with a view to unraveling the circumstances surrounding his death.

    “In view of the gravity of the matter, management advises all staff and students to remain calm and go about their normal, legitimate businesses because the University is working closely with relevant security agencies to get to the root of the matter.

    “Management also wishes to assure parents, guardians and other stakeholders that the University campus remains safe and secure for teaching, learning and community service.

    “Management appreciates the numerous messages of sympathy and support from all its stakeholders in this moment of grief,”Gambo said.

  • Houseboy hits university lecturer to death In Awka

    Houseboy hits university lecturer to death In Awka

    A middle-aged man has murdered a lecturer working with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.

    The incident happened on Friday night at Ifite village in Awka, the State capital.

    It was gathered that the lecturer who belonged to the Psychology Department, simply identified as Chima Anolue, was murdered shortly after a brief argument with his houseboy, which led to a fight between the two.

    This was corroborated by videos currently trending on the social media, which show the suspect as he confessed to have truly killed the lecturer with a pestle.

    He said, “When he came back, he told me to cook rice. And as I was cooking the rice, he asked me why I did not wash plates. I did not reply him anything. And then, he further asked why I wasn’t responding to his question.

    “In the process, he slapped me. But I told him I usually have ear problem, and that people don’t slap me. As I was saying that, he angrily asked if I was still talking while he was talking. And therefore, he slapped me again, and brought out cain and started flogging me all over.

    “Then in the process, I got angry, and we started fighting. It was also in the process of that fight that I picked up the pestle in the kitchen and hit him on the head.”

    The suspect also confessed to have hit Chima with the pestle up to three times before he stopped, after he had fallen on the ground.

    The video also shows the deceased lying lifeless in the hospital bed, while his bereaved relatives gathered to behold and mourn him, alongside his friends and some hospital officials who were also interrogating the suspect.

    It was also gathered that while Chima’s friends and the suspect were taking him to the hospital that night for medical attention after the encounter, he (the suspect), was attempting to choke him to death right inside the vehicle where he was sitting close to him.

    “It was in the process that we discovered what was going on and therefore hit off his hand and started suspecting him. As that was going on also, the victim who was still alive then, used his last strength to cough out the suspect’s name, before he finally gave up the ghost,” said one of the eyewitnesses.

    Meanwhile, the suspect was said to have denied knowing anything about Chima’s death, but eventually confessed to the crime to the doctor on duty at the hospital that night.

    “In his confessions, he first said that it was the girlfriend of the deceased who visited him that night that attacked him. However, he eventually confessed that he was the person who killed Chima with pestle,” the source said.

    A source close to the scene of the incident also alleged that the Abakaliki-born suspect bruised the deceased’s body with knife after hitting him to unconsciousness, so as to make it appear as if he was attacked by a third party. Though the suspect denied the allegation.

    Efforts to get reaction from the police Spokesperson of the Anambra State Command, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, on the matter, proved abortive.

  • LENARD: “The shame of a nation as dictated by APC” – Obuagbaka

    LENARD: “The shame of a nation as dictated by APC” – Obuagbaka

    A renowned lawyer and human rights activist, Mr. Worer Obuagbaka, has described the killing of a lecturer of Rivers State University, Chisom Lenard, by thugs, as “the shame of a nation as dictated by APC.”

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Lenard, a chartered Surveyor, was shot dead by hired political thugs in police camouflage while he was resisting their attempt to hijack election materials during March 18, 2023 governorship election.

    Reacting to the killing via Facebook, Obuagbaka said:  “The shame of a nation as dictated by APC. Chisom Lenard is a lecturer in the famous Rivers State University.

    “A thug who may not have WAEC result killed him during last Saturday election for somebody to lead us.

    “This is the society most younger people are singing praises for. His only crime is to support a candidate of his choice and stood for civility in our electoral process.”

    Members of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers have been thrown into sadness over the murder of Chisom Lenard, the campaign coordinator of Tonye Cole, the governorship candidate of the party in Ahoada-West Local Council of the state.

    Lenard, a chartered Surveyor, was reportedly shot dead by hired political thugs in police camouflage while he was resisting their attempt to hijack election materials during Saturday’s governorship election.

    The death of Lenard in the clash with political thugs was conformed in a viral video posted online.

    Lenard hailed from Ubeta Community in Ahoada West local government area.

    Until his death, he was the leader of Ward 10 leader of APC and Tonye Cole Campaign Coordinator for Ahoada West Local Council.

    Darlington Nwauju, the Spokesman of APC in Rivers confirmed the murder of Lenard.

  • Lecturer accused of raping 12-year-old girl discharged, acquitted

    Lecturer accused of raping 12-year-old girl discharged, acquitted

    An Ado-Ekiti High Court, Justice Adekunle Adeleye  has discharged and acquitted a 55-year-old university lecturer, Dr Ayinde Olukayode, of rape charges.

    Olukayode, who lectures at the Ekiti State University, has been standing trial for rape, an offence contrary to Section 31 (c) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap. C7, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the lecturer, who was arraigned on March 7, 2022, pleaded not guilty to the allegation of raping a 12-year-old girl in August 2020.

    In his judgment, Adeleye held that the prosecution witnesses created doubt in the mind of the court with the discrepancies in their evidence.

    The judge said the prosecution failed “to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.”

    He, therefore, discharged and acquitted Olukayode of the offence of rape for insufficient evidence.

    During the trial, the prosecution called four witnesses and tendered four exhibits, while the defendant called five witnesses.

    The prosecution, through witnesses, claimed that the defendant allegedly had carnal knowledge of the victim several times, while the victim told the court that she did not inform anybody.

    The medical doctor that examined the minor confirmed that her hymen was broken, affirming that there was a fresh injury on the girl’s external genitalia without discharge.

    The child said in June 2021, a group, led by the Ekiti State Attorney-General, came to her school to give a sensitisation lecture, adding that she wrote down the Ministry of Justice’s helpline dictated to students by the attorney-general.

    She said she confided in a man who had a shop next to her guardian because she wanted to borrow his phone to call the ministry’s helpline.

    Rather, the man helped her inform one of her teachers, who later briefed the principal and in turn contacted the Ekiti State Sexual Referral Centre.

    The father of the minor, Olatunji Ojo, who testified on oath as a defence witness, told the court that Olukayode did not rape his child because the man was “a father to all.”

    Olukayode, in his defence, claimed that he was battling erectile dysfunction, which medically could not position him to have sexual intercourse.

    The defendant’s wife, Eunice Olabisi, also testified that her husband could not have sex with her in spite of romances for the past five years due to erectile dysfunction, and therefore could not have committed the offence.

    Counsel for the defendant, Mr Oladele Adedeji, submitted that evidence led by the prosecution through the witnesses did not link the defendant with the crime.

    Adedeji noted that a medical examination ought to have been conducted when the matter was fresh to show how the hymen was broken.

  • Varsity lecturer impersonates INEC official, found with 17 BVAS machines

    Varsity lecturer impersonates INEC official, found with 17 BVAS machines

    A middle-aged man, Mr. Gabriel Agabi, was on Sunday arrested by the Police over impersonation and being in possession of 17 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) not programmed for the ward where he was arrested.

    Agabi, who wore an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reflective jacket, was arrested at the collation center in Okpoma, Yala Local Government Area of Cross River by the security operatives.

    He was later taken to Ogoja INEC’s office, where he confessed to have impersonated Abakedi.

    After a confessional statement, he was whisked away by the police to the Ogoja Area Command for further investigation by the CID unit.

    The alleged impostor claimed to be a lecturer in philosophy department of the University of Calabar and hails from Ugoro Community in Bekwarra Local Government Area of the state.

    He impersonated the INEC collation officer for Yache ward in Yala Local Government Area of the state, Dr Dominic Abakedi.

    One of the BVAS found in his possession had the following details: “BVAS No: 09/18/10/012 with 216 accredited voters and 250 votes cast.”

    The impersonator, who was alleged to have been playing the script of a party, had with collaboration with others, locked up all the agents of other parties in that ward.

    He was also alleged to have disappeared since the close of voting around 6 p.m. on Saturday and only resurfaced at the senatorial district collation center in Ogoja at past 5 p.m. on Sunday.

    A senior police officer at the scene, who preferred anonymity, confirmed the development.

    Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in charge of elections in the district, Zannah Shettima, declined comment on the matter, stressing that he was yet to be briefed.

    He said, “I don’t have the details and so I can’t speak on it.”

    Agabi claimed to be a lecturer in philosophy department and hails from Ugoro Community in Bekwarra Local Government Area of the state.

    Collation of Cross North Senatorial results was ongoing at the time of filing this report.

  • TNG Special Report: If DNA is conducted globally on blacks, Nigerians will be ashamed that nearly all blacks genealogy will be traced to Nig – Prof Awasom

    TNG Special Report: If DNA is conducted globally on blacks, Nigerians will be ashamed that nearly all blacks genealogy will be traced to Nig – Prof Awasom

     

    …Yobe people and Cross River are ethically and culturally affiliated

    …same thing with Edo and Borno people

    …the private sector should reinvent Nig

    It was revelations galore at the just concluded Annual Conference/Congress of Historical Society of Nigeria as the Kenneth Dike Memorial Lecturer, Professor Nicodemus Awasom declared that if the genetics of blacks world over are conducted most blacks will trace their genealogy to Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this is coming just barely one week after the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle declared that her genealogy is 43percent Nigerian.

    “It was also revealed at the confab that Edo and Borno people are ethically and culturally affiliated.

    “Same thing with Yobe People and Cross River who share common affinities but in different locations of Nigeria.

    Professor Nicodemus Awasom a Ghanaian and head of University of Legon History Department in Ghana holds two doctorate degrees in History, also stunned council members of the Historical Society of Nigeria and participants at the three-day physical/webinar which ended this weekend that his father is originally from Ibo in South Eastern Nigeria.

    Awasom who was the Kenneth Dike Memorial Lecturer on the theme: Nigeria: ‘Historicising Our Connections as a Nation Since the Precolonial Period ‘ made startling revelation about Nigerians scattered all over Africa.

    He specifically mentioned Nigerians in Cameroon who don’t even know that at a time southern Cameroon was part of Nigeria “and if you ask them where they’re from they will say Nigeria.

    Awasom said” surprisingly there are other tribes in Africa who still hoist the flag of Nigeria but they have never in their life time stepped into Nigeria because they’re geographically located in other African countries.

    “Even me standing before you now my father is originally from Ibo in the South East region of Nigeria.

    “This was caused by the artificial boundaries created by colonial masters who had imperial motives from the onset that they entered Africa.

    “If you conduct genetics tests across the globe on blacks, Nigerians will be ashamed that almost all blacks will trace their genealogy to Nigeria.

    “Nigerians are multi-talented, around the globe there’s profession that you will not find Nigerians excelling in their different fields of endeavor.

    “Look at how Nigeria took the music world by storm and they’re waxing stronger everyday in the industry.

    He explained that ” the dictum which says if Nigeria catches cold Africa sneezes is apt because if Nigeria gets it right, the continent Africa will get it right but the imperialists won’t support this because our leaders have one commitment or the other with them.

    “But the private sector can change this narrative by reinventing Nigeria and Africa because those of us in the private sector have a different mindset, we cannot be easily swayed.

    “The pre colonial period of Nigerian history was therefore marked by African connectivity from Nigeria through the Bantu migration and trade between African people and a spate of a unifying Hausa language.

    “This connectivity reflected the construction of a Nigerian co-prosperity sphere, a shared prosperity, it wasn’t a prosperity for the Hausas, it was a shared prosperity of all the Africans peoples involved, this is what we are talking about co-prosperity sphere.

    “And this was done in a peaceful manner until it was dislocated by the colonial encounter, this dislocation of the African state building endeavours falls in line with Water Rhodny thesis of how Europe underdeveloped Africa or of how Europe scrapped the political and economic development, economic trade, indigenous trades taking place in Africa.

    “Then the invention of Nigeria today will involve soft power diplomacy as a new nation within the borderless continental sphere for the benefit of all. Greater Nigeria co-prosperity sphere of influence that is, a ban yard that Nigeria must dominate, domesticate and co-exist within, without reaching colonial boundaries of African nation state.

    “This is a soft diplomacy, making yourself accepted, selling yourself, imposing yourself, without a gun shut; a soft diplomacy which Nigeria is using and who is using this soft diplomacy? It is the private sector, it is not the government, leave the government out, the government will come when it is necessary.

    “In fairness to the African government, we should understand that their hands are tied, their first constituency is not you and I, they are answerable to somebody out there, in Washington, in Paris, in Britain and so on and those imperialists are very powerful, they can do and undo.

    “Sometimes we have to understand the mischief of our leaders because of their connection with imperialism.

    “But for the commoners, for the private sector, they cannot control us, they cannot control our thinking, they cannot control our formulations because we don’t execute policies, we only propound policies.

    #

  • BREAKING ASUU: Resume lectures today, Osodeke tells lecturers

    BREAKING ASUU: Resume lectures today, Osodeke tells lecturers

     

    …says we’re doing this as law abiding Nigerians

    President of ASUU, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke has directed all lecturers to commence work today after the highest body of the Union resolved to lift suspension on the eight months old industrial action.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this was contained in a statement issued and signed by Osodeke dated October 13, on Friday.

    In the statement details of what led to the decision to ask their colleagues to resume duties are clearly stated.

    See full statement below:

     

    13 October, 2022

    PRESS RELEASE

    ASUU SUSPENDS ITS STRIKE ACTION

    1. The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of
    Universities (ASUU) held an emergency meeting at the Comrade Festus lyayi
    National Secretariat, University of Abuja, Abuja, on Thursday, 13 October, 2022.
    The meeting reviewed developments since the Union declared an indefinite
    strike action on 29th August, 2022.

    2. During the intervening period, the Minister of Labour and Employment, through a referral, approached the National Industrial Court (NIC) for the interpretation
    of “the provision of sections 4, 5, 6, 7,8 & 18 (1) of the Trade Dispute Act, Cap T8
    Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, whether the on-going prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities which started since 14 February, 2022 is
    legal even after statutory apprehension by the Minister of Labour and
    Employment?” In addition, he asked for an interlocutory order against the continuation of the strike.

    3. The National Industrial Court in its wisdom gave an order compelling ASUU to resume work pending the determination of the substantive suit. Given the nature
    of the order, and in the opinion of our counsel, there was the need to appeal the interlocutory injunction granted against our Union at the Court of Appeal. The
    Court of Appeal acknowledged the validity of the grounds of the Union’s appeal but still upheld the order of the lower court and ordered our Union to comply
    with the ruling of the lower court as condition precedent for the appeal to be
    heard.

    4. NEC noted the series of meetings with the leadership of the House of
    Representatives led by the Hon. Speaker, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, as well as
    intervention efforts of other well-meaning Nigerians both within and outside government and the progress made so far.

    5. NEC deliberated on the recommendations of the Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila-led
    Committee within the framework of the FGN/ASUU’s Memorandum of
    Action(MoA) of 2020 on the contending issues that led to the strike action. For
    the avoidance of doubt, the issues include:

    * Funding for Revitalisation of public universities

    * Earned Academic Allowances

    * Proliferation of public Universities

    * Visitation Panels/Release of White Papers

    * University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a broad
    spectrum software to stop illegality and provide for an elternative
    payment platform in the university system.

    * Renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement.

    6. While appreciating the commendable efforts of the leadership of the House of
    Representatives and other patriotic Nigerians who waded into the matter, NEC noted with regrets that the issues in dispute are yet to be satisfactorily addressed.

    7. However, as a law-abiding Union and in deference to appeals by the President
    and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency,
    President Muhammadu Buhari, and in recognition of the efforts of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and other well-
    meaning Nigerians, ASUU NEC resolved to suspend the strike action embarked
    upon on 14’th February 2022. Consequently, all members of ASUU are hereby directed to resume all services hitherto withdrawn _ with effect from 12:01 on Friday, 14 October, 2022.

    Thank you.

    Emmanuel Osodeke
    President

    13 October, 2022

  • ASUU Vs FG: Court, not the way to go – Don

    ASUU Vs FG: Court, not the way to go – Don

    A Salem University, Lokoja lecturer, Professor Isaac Oyawale says the Federal Government has taken a wrong step with its decision to take ASUU to the National Industrial Court where it got a judgement mandating the union to return to class.

    The academician was speaking in an interview with our correspondent in Lokoja on Thursday.

    To him, “Government is just trying to pour more gasoline on an already raging fire. You cannot use force to force a body of intellectually astute and academically rich group by trying to coerce them into going back to the classrooms.

    “What I expected government to have done is to look at the issues holistically, meet ASUU halfway, not through the hanky-panky they are currently using but by being truthful and sincere in their dealings.”

    Also Read

    ASUU Strike: Professor Osodeke reveals next line of action

    He said lecturers may decide to resume without teaching the students or even deciding to take the job with more laxity, noting that it would be counter productive.

    The lecturer, who expressed concern about the plight of the students, urged both government and the lecturers to reach amicable resolution for the students to acquire necessary knowledge for national development.

    He noted the need for a more open, sincere and engaging dialogue between ASUU and government to arrive at a common ground that would put the lingering issues to permanent end and bring a new lease of life to University education in Nigeria.

    “I sincerely hope that government would listen to ASUU and ensure all issues that causing disaffection between them are resolved for the sake of the next generation and for a new lease of life to be open for public universities.”

  • ASUU: Strike claims first victim as Uniben lecturer commits suic*de

    ASUU: Strike claims first victim as Uniben lecturer commits suic*de

     

    A member staff of the University of Benin, Prince Carter Oshodin, has committed suicide on Friday over his dire financial situation.

    Oshodin, who had not been paid his salary for months due to the strike action embarked by university unions, was a data entry personnel at the university.

    It was gathered that the Non-Academic Staff Union which the deceased belonged to has called off its strike recently, but the members had yet to be paid their salaries.

    Oshodin’s Facebook confirmed his job description at UNIBEN.

    A professor in the University, who would not want his name mentioned due to the emotional nature of the case, told a national newspaper on Saturday that it is disheartening that they have not been paid since the strike action began. He also wondered why those who called of their strike are still not been paid by the government.

    He said, “Yes he is our staff that killed himself due to lack of money. Even some months ago, he was quoted to have been advising people on coping strategies and yet he took his life which has put his family in a bigger problem.

    “We have been paid no dime since we went on strike. This is the 10th of September, the non academic staff that has since resumed have not been paid anything. Boko Haram! No to Western education!”

    Another colleague simply known as Edward said the Late Oshodin on his Facebook page lamented that he could not meet his financial and was finding it increasingly difficult to pay his two daughters’ school fees.

    He said, “He committed suicide on Friday and according to a post on his Facebook, he said he was facing financial difficulties and could pay the school fees of his two young daughters. It is a pathetic situation.”

    As at the time of filing this report, UNiBEN’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Benedicta Ehanire told the reporter to send her a text message, which has not been replied, while Edo State Command Police Public Relation Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, has also not replied a message sent to him.

  • ASUU reveals FG’s ‘miserly’ offer to university professors

    ASUU reveals FG’s ‘miserly’ offer to university professors

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has revealed the “miserly offer” made by the federal government over the increment of salaries for university professors and lecturers.

    Recall that in a statement issued by ASUU on Thursday, August 18, after the resumed meeting of the federal government and ASUU over the lingering strike action by the union, the Union president revealed that it rejected the “award” of salary by the federal government.

    It has now been revealed that the offer FG made was to increase the salaries of professors by N60,000 while other lecturers would have their salaries increased within the range of N30,000 and N60,000.

    This revelation was made by the zonal coordinator, Port Harcourt zone, Stanley Ogoun, in a chat with Punch.

    Ogoun also noted that the government promised to release the revitalisation fund of N170 billion which would be included in the 2023 budget.

    Ogoun said: “Nigerians should be aware of offers the so-called minister came up with. These are: (a) 170 billion naira for revitalisation in the 2023 budget; (b) a promise to increase by N60,000 the salary of a professor at the bar in next year’s budget; (c) no statement on the amendment of the National University Commission Act gathering dust at the National Assembly (d) payment of two tranches of outstanding Earned Academic Allowance in next year’s budget; (d) a promise to adopt the University Transparency and Accountability Solution; and (e) another promise to release the white papers.”

    Ogoun continued: “Imagine the level of deceitfulness by the minister! A promise to fulfill demands in an election year? We did not embark on strike for over six months geared towards improving our public universities only to come back with mere promissory notes from a government that is notorious for reneging on agreements. I’m sure Nigerians would not forgive us.

    “On the issue of withheld salaries, and the claim that we do not deserve the salaries. We challenge the government to prove if the unproductive staff of our moribund refineries and other agencies of similar nature are not being paid. They should also justify why unproductive politicians that are responsible for the current comatose state of Nigeria are receiving humongous salaries and allowances. For the avoidance of doubt, teaching is only one of the assignments we undertake as lecturers. It only earns a candidate, going for promotion, a maximum of one point per year. Research and community service are the core requirements for promotion.

    “The current move by the Federal Government to jettison the principle of collective bargaining and reduce our Union’s objective and patriotic struggle to revamp and reposition public universities in Nigeria to mere award of miserly salaries, ranging from N30,000 to N60,000 is unacceptable to us.”