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Tag: Students

  • Speak out against bullies – NAPPS to students

    Speak out against bullies – NAPPS to students

    The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) has advised students to be courageous and speak out against bullies for a healthy conducive learning environment.

    Chairman of NAPPS, Amuwo Odofin Chapter, Mrs Ajoke Adeyemi gave the advice in an interview with the Newsmen, on Wednesday in Lagos.

    According to her, bullying can come in different forms, including; hitting or shouting at classmates or intentionally extending one leg to cause another person to fall.

    Adeyemi, who is also the Proprietress of Foresight Schools, Festac Town, however, said bullying either by staff or fellow students were very rare in private day and boarding schools.

    According to her, most private schools do not tolerate the phenomenon saying “most NAPPS schools occupy students in classes and during break time.

    “There are always teachers or support staff all around the school, even in toilets, staircases and other places.

    “Most of our schools have hidden CCTV cameras on the corridors and playgrounds, which makes it very difficult for any bully to operate,” she said.

    Adeyemi added that seminars were organised for the proprietors, to reinforce zero tolerance for bullying and also caution the schools on dangers of allowing controlling parents have their way.

    She noted that the Ministry for Education also had rules and regulations all schools were expected to abide by or be ready to face the music.

    She further noted that prefects’ role in reinforcing discipline was not to punish or flog but to report erring students to the school’s disciplinary committee for action.

    The chairman said from experience, most cases of bullying began from homes, as such children were not adequately supervised on the kinds of friends they kept or movies they watched.

    “Some even shout at their younger ones and talk back at their parents,” she said.

    She, however, said that when cases of bullying arose in schools, the guidance counsellor talked with the students, and thereafter, invite the parents for a chat.

    “The option of either expulsion or suspension is applied when such erring child refuses to mend his or her ways.

    Adeyemi cautioned parents to play their roles in correcting their children whenever they erred and nurtured them in the fear of the Lord.

    She urged students not to be afraid to report any act of bullying, saying “keeping silent will only worsen the abuse suffered.”

  • BREAKING: Three out of five Dowen College students mentioned by Sylvester Oromoni on death bed in police custody

    BREAKING: Three out of five Dowen College students mentioned by Sylvester Oromoni on death bed in police custody

    Three students of the Dowen College, Lekki Lagos are currently assisting the police in their investigation into the death of Sylvester Oromoni junior, a 12-year-old student of the college, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu confined on Tuesday.

    Odumosi said three of the five students mentioned by Sylvester before he died are already in custody and cooperating with the police in their findings.

    Although Odumosu did not give the identities of those in custody he insisted that they are key suspects.

    The police boss explained that the Command is set to go for the post mortem of the body in Delta state to ascertain the cause of death.

    He assured that police authorities in both Lagos and Delta State are keenly interested in the outcome of the investigation to unravel the mystery behind Sylvester’s death.

    Meanwhile, the Oromoni family has hired the firm of a foremost human rights lawyer and activist, Femi Falana, to prosecute its case against the institution over the death of their son.

    A letter written by Falana to the office of Lagos State’s Chief Coroner, requesting an inquest into the circumstances leading to the death of his client’s child.

    The letter was dated December 6, 2021, signed by Taiwo Olawale, and addressed to the chief coroner, High Court of Lagos State.

    The story of 12-year-old Sylvester went viral last week after a family member went on social media to demand justice. In a series of Tweets, the family member, with handle @Perrisonoromoni said Sylvester was assaulted by some senior students pf Dowen College. He added that Sylvester died after sustaining multiple internal injuries from being tortured and bullied.

    Also, in a video released online by the family member, Oromoni jr was seen writhing in pain. His teeth were stained dark red with blood. His legs were swollen, and his belly was bloated.

    The Management of Dowen College in a statement claimed that Sylvester was injured while playing football. In another statement, they assured that they will cooperate with authorities to investigate the incident.

    The Lagos State government through its Ministry of Education paid an inquiry visit to the college and announced on Friday that the school be shut down indefinitely.

  • UNIBEN grants amnesty to 500 overstayed students

    UNIBEN grants amnesty to 500 overstayed students

    The University of Benin has granted amnesty to more than 500 students who had overstayed in the university.

    Prof. Lilian Salami, the Vice-Chancellor of the university announced this on Thursday in Benin in her address at the 46th and 47th combined Convocation and 51st Founders’ Day ceremonies of the institution.

    Salami said the university had also carried out several academic reforms, milestones and accreditation under her watch.

    Part of these feats, she said was the introduction of a method whereby certificates of granduands would be available for collection right from the day of graduation.

    She said that the institution had also successfully introduced teaching methods through e-learning and physical teaching process as fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    To achieve this, the vice-chancellor said a Directorate of Quality Assurance was established to standardise academic activities and ensure quality service delivery across all academic programmes in the university.

    “At the inception of this administration, a major source of concern was gross disequilibrium in the ratio of teaching to non-teaching staff.

    “The figure available put the teaching staff at 1,779 while the number of non-teaching staff was approximately 6,063.

    “With the continuing embargo on employment, something drastic needed to be done to address the situation. The administration then began they process of sourcing from among non-teaching staff, qualified persons who were subsequently redeployed to teaching cadre.

    “So far, over 250 of such qualified staffers have been re-deployed to academics. The administration did not stop there. As at today, over 200 adjunct lecturers have also been appointed, to bridge the gap in teaching positions,” she said.

    Salami also said that the university under her administration had introduced five new programmes into the academic curriculum which are Bachelor of Arts in Music and Psychology, as well as Master of Science, Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy in Maternal and Child Health Nursing.

    The postgraduate programmes, she said were funded via the Centre of Excellence in Reproductive Health Innovation (CERHI).

    Meanwhile, the Chancellor of the University, Prof James Ayatse, who is the Tor Tiv in Benue, has called on tertiary institutions in Nigeria to be more innovative in tackling the enormous challenges inhibiting access to quality education.

    The chancellor Noted that Nigerian universities must engage in profitable ventures, without compromising the core objectives of setting up of the institutions, to augment their dwindling subventions.

    He, however, commended the vice-chancellor, members of the management team and other members of UNIBEN community for ensuring peace and stability on campus.

    Speaking in the same vein, Dr Sonny Kuku, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the University advocated increased funding of education in Nigeria to achieve the desired result of producing highly skilled and competent manpower to drive the country.

    Kuku identified electricity supply, constant upgrading of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure as urgently needed facilities in order to keep up with the dynamics of technological advancement.

    A total of 17,517 students graduated for the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 academic sessions.

  • Court sentences 19 students to 6 years each for cultism

    Court sentences 19 students to 6 years each for cultism

    A High Court in Maiduguri on Wednesday sentenced 19 students to six years imprisonment each for cultism.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Umar Fadawu, held that there was sufficient evidence proving that each of the defendants committed the offence of conspiracy and management/membership of an unlawful society.

    The convicts were arrested by the police on Sept. 21, 2019 in a hotel in Maiduguri for being members of an unlawful society, Neo Black Movement a.k.a Black Axe.

    Faduwu after considering plea from some of the convicts and their counsel, Mr Ahmed Hamman, who pleaded for leniency, sentenced the convicts to six years each on each of the two counts without an option of fine.

    “The court hereby sentence you Arnold Augustine, Onu Chiduben, David Emmanuel, Awuto Abayomi, Mustapha Abulkadir, Levi Epraim, Onuebu Godspower Chibuzor, Ben Oni, Yakubu Chiroma, Mohammed Adamu, Calvin Ijafiya, Henry Michael Ujah, Chris Kallu, Totsi Samuel, Onwuka Ugochukwu, Audi Yohana, Samuel Talba, Donald Omguze and Joseph Olaiya to six years imprisonment for each of the charge..

    “The prison terms shall run concurrently from today, Oct. 20,” Fadawu ruled.

     

    NAN

  • Two students of Federal University Lafia, kinapped

    Two students of Federal University Lafia, kinapped

    Two students of the Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State were last night kidnapped by unknown gunmen

    The kidnappers were said to have invaded mararaba community hosting the university between 7 -8pm shooting sporadically and succeeded in kidnapping two students of the Institution.

    Meanwhile, unconfirmed report obtained by Vanguard this afternoon has it that, one Hon. Yahaya Adams (Major) first Son of Zafir Yahaya Adams has been kidnapped last night together with two other students.

    The kidnappers are said to have made contact with the family at about 11.30pm last night demanding for a ramson of N25m naira

    According to alleged statement by the family, “We are soliciting for your fervent prayers for the safe and early release of our children. Thanks”, the statement added.

    When contacted, the public Relations Officer of police Command in Nasarawa state, ASP Ramhan Nansel, said that report reaching the Command has confirmed that two students have been kidnapped.

    According to him, “we have just met as I speak with you at 12.30pm in the Anti kidnapping office with the Institution’s PRO, CSO on the issue.

    Anti kidnapping squard have been dispatched to the area while investigation has commenced, the PPRO stated.

  • Photo: Three kidnapped students of Catholic Seminary regain freedom in Kaduna

    Photo: Three kidnapped students of Catholic Seminary regain freedom in Kaduna

    The three kidnapped students of Christ the King Major Seminary in Jemaa Local Government Area of Kaduna State have been released.

    The chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Reverend Father Emmanuel Okolo, said the three seminarians were released by their abductors on Wednesday.

    But there is no indication that any ransom was paid for their release and the police are yet to issue a statement on the development.

    While thanking God for the quick release of the seminarians, Father Okolo also prayed for the release of other kidnap victims who are still in the hands of their captors.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the three seminarians were abducted by bandits suspected to be kidnappers on Monday.

    They were, however, released barely 48 hours after their abduction.

    The abduction and release of the seminarians is one of the many kidnap cases in Kaduna and other northwestern states where banditry has become rife.

    Following the series of attacks, several states in the region had introduced a string of measures to tackle the growing wave of insecurity.

    In Kaduna State, for instance, the state government had shut telecoms services in some local governments, banned the possession of dangerous weapons and restricted the operations of tricycles among others.

    “These difficult times demand that difficult decisions be made. The measures have been adopted purely in the interest of our collective safety and security and to aid our brave forces in their fight against these mindless criminals,” Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, explained while announcing the measures late September.

    “Too many lives have been lost and too many families have been shattered. Small groups of wicked persons cannot continue to hold us to ransom and force us to live in perpetual fear.”

  • Death of final year student: OAU students reject, protest management’s shutdown of institution

    Death of final year student: OAU students reject, protest management’s shutdown of institution

    Students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife have protested against the closure of the school on the directive of its management.

    The aggrieved students trooped out as early as 7:30am on Saturday as they stormed the streets within and outside the campus in Osun State.

    They shut the campus gate and blocked the major roads leading to the school, insisting that the management must rescind its directive on the total shutdown of the campus and that students should vacate the hostels.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the university management had ordered the closure of the school and directed students to vacate the hostels following a protest sparked by the death of a final year student, Aisat Adesina.

    When the students’ union officials said they have zero confidence in the health facility.

    They blamed Aisat’s death on personnel who they said did not attend to her properly when she was rushed to the medical facility.

    “The first thing we want the management to do is to open our school with immediate effect; we want it now,” said Salvation Grace who is the Vice President-elect of the union.

    “We want justice for Aisat, we want justice for Korede (another late student), we want justice for every student who went to that health centre in their lifetime and were not treated properly.”

    But the management of the institution had a different view, saying the closure of the school was a necessary decision to take at the moment.

    OAU Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, explained that the management took the decision after appealing to the students on four different occasions.

    “If you say you are protesting, it is your fundamental human right,” he said. “But you should not allow that protest to lead to violence.

    “Blocking the Ife-Ibadan Highway and the Ife-Ede Highway for nine consecutive hours is not right. We now envisaged a situation that as things were going, the university should be proactive and do the needful.”

    Meanwhile, sources said late Aisat would be buried on Monday at the school’s cemetery.

  • 10 more kidnapped Bethel Baptist School students freed

    10 more kidnapped Bethel Baptist School students freed

    Ten more abducted students of Bethel Baptist Secondary school in Kaduna State have regained their freedom.

    This is the fourth batch of the students released so far by their abductors.

    While the police are yet to confirm the development, however a top official of the school said the 10 students were released on Sunday afternoon, after an unspecified amount of money was paid as ransom to the kidnappers.

    He also expressed optimism that the bandits will release the remaining eleven kidnapped students still in captivity in no distant time.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that a total of 121 students of Bethel Baptist Secondary school in Chikun Local Government Area of the state were abducted by bandits from their hostels on July 5, 2021.

    The students were later released in batches after their parents reportedly paid ransoms to their abductors.

  • Abduction of students: SSANU tells FG to allow varsity security bear arms

    Abduction of students: SSANU tells FG to allow varsity security bear arms

    SENIOR Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, has for the umpteenth time told the Federal Government to approve licenses for security outfits in all institutions of learning to bear firearms in order to adequately checkmate security threats and criminal incursions.

    The association has also bemoamed what it described as the federal government penchant for reneging on agreements entered into with labour unions, saying that such action was responsible for the strike embarked upon by doctors.

    These were parts of the resolutions by SSANU at its 40th National Executive Council, NEC, meeting at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

    In a communique signed by its National President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, SSANU decried the alleged shoddy and lopsided implementation of some core components of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), especially the Hazard and other Earned Allowances yet to be fully implemented in the monthly salaries of its members as earlier agreed.

    Besides, the association’s NEC noted with great concern, the reluctance of some federal and state governments to implement the new national minimum wage and its accumulated arrears.

    The association urged the federal government to pay the arrears of new minimum wage as previously agreed in the Memorandum of Agreement, MoA.

    According to the communique, “NEC in session observed with dismay the shoddy and lopsided implementation of some core components of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). Specifically, Hazard and other Earned Allowances that are yet to be fully implemented in the monthly salaries of our members as earlier agreed.

    “Granted that implementation of the allowances has commenced, it is rather surprising that they are scandalously captured. Government is therefore earnestly urged to stabilize the mode of salary payment vide IPPIS and immediately commence the payment of Hazard, Responsibility, Excess workload, overtime, and others alongside monthly salaries without further delay.

    “In a similar vein, NEC noted with great concern, the reluctance of some Federal/State Governments to implement the New National Minimum Wage and its accumulated arrears. NEC in session also urges the Federal Government to pay the arrears of New Minimum Wage as previously agreed in the Memorandum of Agreement.

    “NEC therefore enjoins States and the Federal Government to effect payment of the long overdue arrears of the minimum wage which has lost value due to the high rate of inflation currently experienced in the country.”

    On the re-negotiation of the 2009 FGN/SSANU Agreement, NEC was briefed that the exercise would soon commence after it was halted last year as a result of Covid-19.

    “Government’s Committee for the purpose was expecting a date from the SSANU/NASU delegation. Consequently, a date to kick start the re-negotiation exercise would soon be communicated to Government after all logistics had been put in place.

    “NEC urges government to show sincere commitment to the course of the exercise when it eventually takes off, bearing in mind that same agreement was entered over a decade ago and ought to have been re-negotiated twice,” the communique stated.

    Commenting on the state of the nation and the growing insecurity in the country, SSANU said it was an incontrovertible fact that major facets of the nation were in deplorable states making Nigeria the “giant of Africa” a laughing stock in the comity of Nations.

    It said, “Every well-meaning Nigerian should be concerned about the state of our dear Nation Nigeria, a country blessed with natural and human resources which is now a shadow of herself, ravaged and grappling with insecurity, kidnapping, banditry, rape, killings and monstrous corruption.

    “NEC in session condemns in strong terms, the absurd and unabated increase in insecurity across the country, especially the incessant abductions/demand for ransom and killings of students and staff of secondary and tertiary institutions by bandits, especially in the Northern part of the country.

    “The recent invasion of the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna was a National embarrassment and disgrace, indicating a total collapse of the security architecture of the country.

    “This dangerous dimension has forced several states to shut down schools in violence-prone areas. This will no doubt, add to the over 13.5millions out of school children in Nigeria today.

    “From all indications, this is a great threat to the educational system, bearing in mind that the economic growth of any nation directly depends on the level of her educational standard and stability
    NEC therefore calls on the Federal Government to urgently stem this ugly tide by vigorously strengthening the security agencies to ensure effective tackling of this monstrous menace.

    “Furthermore, relevant enforceable laws should be enacted to curb this savagery. NEC also strongly canvasses for Government’s approval of licenses for security outfits in all institutions of learning to bear firearms in order to adequately checkmate these security threats and criminal incursions.

    “The state of Nigerian roads can best be described as death traps. A situation where Nigerians spend an entire day travelling on deplorable roads for a supposed three-hour journey is totally unacceptable given the natural resources the country is endowed with.

    “Hoodlums capitalize on the failed portions of the road to lay ambush on unsuspecting travellers to rob, kidnap and even kill.

    “NEC in session therefore calls on the Federal Government to take urgent steps in ensuring that our high-ways are motorable in order to reduce the hardship and risks of the teaming citizenry who ply these roads.”

    It lamented over incessant strike embarked upon by labour unions, accusing the government of being responsible for that.

    “The Nigerian media space is regularly awash with headlines of labour Unions embarking on protests and strike actions occasioned by Government’s unbridled insensitivity to the plight and welfare of workers who are co-drivers of the economy.

    “Most of the industrial actions are traceable to Government’s refusal to honour Memorandum of Agreement or Memoranda of Action freely entered into with the trade Unions. It is heart rending that medical doctors could be on strike for over forty (40) days in Nigeria in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and recent life threatening cholera outbreak ravaging the country.

    “NEC in session seriously condemns the attitude of Government’s serial reneging on agreements with trade Unions. Government is therefore urged to cultivate the habit of honouring agreements it willingly signed with labour Unions to avoid these incessant strikes.”

  • Another set of kidnapped Zamfara school students regain freedom

    Another set of kidnapped Zamfara school students regain freedom

    The kidnapped students of Government Day Secondary School, Kaya in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State have regained their freedom.

    After being released by their abductors, the students were received by Governor Bello Matawalle in Gusau, on Sunday.

    Gunmen, believed to be bandits, had abducted the students from the school late in the night of September 1. It is unclear if any ransom was paid before the students were freed.

    The Zamfara Police Command said afterward that 73 of the students were kidnapped from the school but five of them were freed a day later.

    Sources in the community said the assailants stormed the school in large numbers before taking the students to an unknown destination.

    The incident is one of the several school abductions that have been reported in the North-Western state and other northern states battling attacks from bandits.

    Other states in the region including Katsina and Kaduna, have had their fair share of attacks on schools.