***Warns board against working outside its mandate

The National Universities Commission, Saturday morning knocked the National Board for Technical Education over the introduction of a “top-up degree” scheme for graduates of Nigerian polytechnics at the level of Higher National Diploma.

The universities’ commission in a statement signed by its acting Executive Secretary, Chris Maiyaki, noted that the move was in clear violation of its mandate.

Earlier, the NBTE had announced a partnership with foreign universities where HND graduates could convert their diplomas to degrees through a one-year conversion course, following the dichotomy which has continued to exist between graduates of universities and polytechnics.

The move had received praise from HND graduates across the country, but the NUC in a strongly-worded statement urged the NBTE to stay put on its plan.

The statement reads, “The attention of the National Universities Commission has been drawn to the news (online) that the National Board for Technical Education has officially introduced a one-year top-up degree programme in Nigerian Polytechnics to enable holders of the Higher National Diploma to convert their certificates to the first degree with foreign accredited universities.

“The online news, which was credited to the  Executive Secretary of the NBTE, Prof Idirs Bugaje, and the Board’s Head of Media Unit, Mrs Fatima Abubakar, revealed that the action was in furtherance of the advocacy for the removal of the existing dichotomy between degree holders and HND graduates in their various places of work, and to enhance the beneficiaries’ opportunities for further studies.

“The NUC wishes to inform the Management of the  NBTE and the general public that the “Bill for an Act to Abolish and Prohibit Dichotomy and Discrimination between First Degree and Higher National Diploma in the Same Profession/Field for Employment, and for Related Matters”, which was passed by the 9th National Assembly in 2021, is yet to be assented to by Mr President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So, even though agitation continues to grow for the abolition of the dichotomy in Nigeria, there is, at the moment,  no law that has removed the dichotomy between a university degree and the HND.

“Both the NUC Establishment Law (CAP N81, LFN, 2004) and its Operational Law: Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act, CAP E3 LFN, 2004) vest in the Commission the powers to superintend and regulate university education in Nigeria, lay down minimum academic standards in the nation’s Universities and other degree-awarding Institutions, and accredit their programmes.

The statement further stressed that the National Universities Commission is the only body empowered by law to regulate university education in Nigeria.

It added, “Thus, the Commission is the only constitutionally empowered regulatory agency for university education in Nigeria. Pursuant to the sustained commitment of the NUC to the development of a balanced, well-coordinated and productive University System that guarantees the delivery of quality education relevant to national development, and in the face of global competitiveness.

“The university degree awarded by the Nigerian University System or any cognate Institution is not the same as the HND awarded by Polytechnics in Nigeria. In the Nigerian higher education space, the processes, contents and methods required for the acquisition of a university degree are substantially different from those needed for HND programmes;

“At the post-graduate level, the requirements for admission into any Master’s degree programme in Nigerian Universities for candidates with HND are, among others, the acquisition of a Postgraduate Diploma from a recognised University in an area relevant to that for which the Master’s admission is being sought. To this end, it is implicit that beneficiaries of the NBTE’s Top-Up Programme shall be subjected to extant admission requirements by Nigerian Universities, should they desire to further their studies in the NUS.

The statement also warned the unsuspecting general public and all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to note that the NUC “is not a party to and, indeed, disallows the so-called Top-up Scheme, being concocted by the NBTE.”
Finally, the NUC warned the NBTE to focus on its mandate.

“In light of the above, the advice of the NUC is that the NBTE should focus on its core mandate and desist from introducing programmes that are outside its jurisdiction and not supported by any law in Nigeria. The Commission does not entertain any intrusion into its lawfully assigned mandate”, the statement concluded.

[Punch]

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar; Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; and 12 other Nigerian Muslims have been listed among the 500 most influential Muslims in the world.

This is the first time Tinubu, who became Nigeria’s President this year, would be listed in the annual publication of the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre, Amman, Jordan.

The National Missioner and Chief Imam of Ansar Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdur-Rahman Ahmad, who has prominently featured in the list since 2016 when he joined the league, was also listed.

The publication in its 15th edition listed Shaykh Habib ‘Umar bin Muhammad bin Salim bin Hafiz, Director of Dar al-Mustafa in Yemen as the world’s most influential Muslim leader followed by the King of Saudi Arabia, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, as the second most influential Muslim while the Supreme Leader of Islamic Republic of Iran, Grand Ayatollah Hajj Sayyid Ali Khamenei, is number three.

This is just as it puts the World’s Muslim population at 2,074, 718,394.

The publication highlights people who are influential as Muslims and how they have been able to, through their influence, benefit the community both within the Islamic world and in terms of representing Islam to non-Muslims.

Apart from Sultan and HE Ibrahim Saleh Al-Hussaini, the head of the Supreme Council for Fatwa and Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, who were listed in the first 50 emerging numbers 18 and 45 respectively, other 450 were categorised into Scholarly; Administration of Religious Affairs; Preachers and Religious Guides; Social Issues; Business and Philanthropy, Charity and Development, among others.

In Nigeria, Tinubu who is a new entrant was listed under the political leaders’ category while President of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the only Nigerian listed in the Business Category, emerged number 162 most influential Muslim leader.

Other Nigerians listed in the publication are 14th Emir of Kano and the Grand Khalifat of the Tijaniyah, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; Secretary General of NSCIA and Registrar of the Joint Administration and Matriculation Board, Prof. Ishaq Olanrewaju Oloyede; Ado Bayero and Sheikh Ahmad, who were listed in the category of administration of religious affairs.

The leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, was listed in the scholarly category.

Others listed are Sheikh Tahir Usman Bauchi; Imam Muhammad Ashafa; HE Ibrahim Saleh Al-Hussaini; Sheikh Yakubu Musa Katsina and Sheikh Professor Ibrahim Ahmad Maqari.

Late Prince Ajibola Bola, a former Judge of the International Court of Justice, Hague, who died on April 9, 2023 was recognised in the obituary category.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expressed readiness to partner with the federal government in tackling humanitarian and poverty challenges in Nigeria.

The UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al Shamsi, made this known when he led a team from the embassy and Noor Dubai Foundation to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Abuja.

This was contained in a statement issued by Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair, special adviser on media and publicity to the minister.

The envoy, who described the relationship between his country and Nigeria as symbiotic said, “Nigeria remains a strong ally of the UAE and we would continue to partner with Nigeria in key areas like humanitarian aid, job creation, nutrition, health care development and poverty alleviation.”

Responding, the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, applauded the government and people of the United Arab Emirates for their timely interventions in critical sectors in Nigeria.

The minister specifically thanked the ambassador and his team for taking steps to support Nigeria in many ways.

She noted that the president had a great plan to eradicate poverty under his 8-point agenda and has begun full implementation.

Also speaking, the chief executive officer of Noor Dubai Foundation, Dr Manal Taryam, said it had been on humanitarian-related interventions, including an eye treatment programme, which commenced with Katsina State, while Lagos and Abuja would soon be launched.

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Kogi State, Dino Melaye has revealed that he has survived four assassination attempts in the state.

Melaye made this revelation in an interview with Arise Television on Thursday.

According to him, tension has been part of the lives of the Kogi people since the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC came into power seven years ago.

He said, “I have survived four assassination attempts; I have had 12 court cases of FG vs. Dino Melaye, and I have been attacked severally. It is not new, as it is in the DNA of the APC to be violent.”

“Kogi State is like an evil forest that needs instantaneous redevelopment and needs a messiah.”

The former senator said he hopes to be instrumental in ameliorating the pains of those living in the state.

He further said it has never been this bad in the history of Kogi, as the state is more divided than at any other time in the state’s history.

He however said since the All Progressives Congress came into power in the state, they have completely polarised and divided the people, and there is serious disunity.

He said part of the PDP’s agenda is to first reunite the state, as the slogan of his campaign says “One Kogi, One Destiny.”

The Ondo State House of Assembly on Friday disclosed plans to impeach the state Deputy Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, have been halted, Naija News learned.

The Ondo Assembly said it decided to back down on Aiyedatiwa’s impeachment proceedings during its plenary session on Thursday, following the refusal of the state Chief Judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola, to set up a panel to probe the deputy governor.

This platform reported on Thursday that Justice Olusegun Odusola declined the state Assembly’s request to set up a seven-man investigation panel to investigate Aiyedatiwa.

Recall that the Ondo State Assembly, as part of efforts to impeach Aiyedatiwa, wrote the CJ to form an investigative panel in line with section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended to look into the allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the embattled deputy governor.

A move Aiyedatiwa kicked against by writing a counter letter to the CJ not to grant the assembly’s request to investigate him.

However, Naija News gathered that the Ondo CJ, in a letter to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Oladiji Olamide Aderanmi, with ref no. CROD/1123/V.3/ dated October 6, 2023, gave reasons for declining their request.

The CJ cited Section 287 (3) of the Constitution as to why he cannot act on the letter from the House.

He said the above provision of the Constitution barred him from performing the function by an order of a Federal High Court.

Sequel to this development, the Ondo Assembly bowed to pressure, saying that it would obey the order of the court and suspend the impeachment proceedings.

Speaking to pressmen in the state on Friday, the Chairman, of the House Committee on Information, Mr Olatunji Oshati, who revealed the development, noted that the House is suspending the impeachment proceedings until the order of the court is vacated.

Oshati, stated, “We have considered the letter, which is everywhere in the public domain, and we are halting the impeachment process until the order of the Federal High Court is vacated.

“It is not about being arrogant with power, it is about holding public officers accountable. It also shows that the process of impeachment transcends the monopoly of the legislature, as we can see that the judiciary has stalled it. This is to show that it is not a witch-hunt, it is about carrying out our oversight functions.”

Meanwhile, a source in the Assembly told The Punch that the Ondo CJ has reached out to the Speaker to explain how tight in a corner he is on the matter because he just has to obey the court’s ex parte order restraining him from carrying out the directive of the Assembly.

The source said, “The CJ has reached out to Mr Speaker that he cannot set up a seven-member panel to probe the deputy governor as directed by the House, claiming that his hands are tied by the ex parte order issued by Justice Emeka Nwite, stopping the impeachment process.”

Palestinians began a mass exo­dus from northern Gaza Friday after Israel’s military told some 1 million people to evacuate to­ward the southern part of the besieged territory, an unprece­dented order ahead of an expect­ed ground invasion against the ruling Hamas militant group.

The U.N. warned that so many people fleeing en masse — almost half the Gaza popu­lation — would be calamitous. Hamas, which staged a shock­ing and brutal attack on Israel nearly a week ago and has fired thousands of rockets since, dis­missed the evacuation order as a ploy and called on people to stay in their homes.

The UN said the order for the mass evacuation was “impossi­ble” without major humani­tarian consequences. Hamas told residents not to leave their homes.

Israeli forces are maintaining their bombardment of Gaza in response to Hamas’ terror at­tacks that killed more than 1,300 people. Israel has also amassed more than 300,000 reservists along its southern border — but has not confirmed whether it is planning an intensified military operation.

Gaza’s humanitarian crisis is deepening with warnings people are at risk of starvation. Nearly 1,800 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The airstrikes have also displaced 423,000 people, the UN said.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Tel Aviv pledged full US support to Israel, stressing, “This is no time for neutrality, or for false equivalence or for excus­es for the inexcusable.”

Meanwhile, the Internation­al Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has raised an alarm over the evacuation order in Gaza, warning of catastrophic humanitarian consequences, the organisation said in a state­ment Friday.

With a military siege in place, humanitarian organisations, including the ICRC, face chal­lenges in assisting the massive displacement of people in Gaza. Their Gaza City office received the same instructions to leave, as did other international organi­sations.

The organisation also high­lighted the need to ensure that basic necessities are provided for displaced populations and to prevent family separations.

A heavily pregnant woman who fled Gaza City on Monday told CNN that she fears for the future as hordes of Gazan civil­ians start making their way to the southern Gaza strip follow­ing Israel’s evacuation order.

Nardeen Fares, who is nine months pregnant, told CNN over the phone that she traveled with her husband from al-Rimal, a neighborhood in Gaza City, to the town of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza strip earlier this week.

“Right now, there is an ex­odus of thousands of people. You’re talking about half of the Gaza Strip moving to Khan You­nis,” the 27-year-old told CNN.

The Central Bank of Nigeria has released an explainer to defend its action of lifting foreign exchange restrictions on the 43 items excluded from accessing foreign exchange from the official market.

The apex bank had on Thursday notified the public in a circular that it has lifted the foreign exchange restrictions placed on the importation of 43 items by the former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

Emefiele had in 2015 blacklisted the 41 items and two other items subsequently from the official forex window to reduce foreign exchange demand for products that could be locally produced, improve employment generation and conserve foreign reserves.

This created room for the importers to source their foreign exchange from the black market which weakened the parallel-market exchange rate and pushed up prices.

Explaining the reason for lifting the ban, the apex bank said, “The CBN wants to ensure price stability and is seeking to boost liquidity in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market. As liquidity improves, we expect the distortions to moderate.

“The CBN wants to promote orderliness and professional conduct by all Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market participants to ensure market forces determine exchange rates on a Willing Buyer – Willing Seller principle. The CBN wants a unified market for FOREX with flexible and transparent pricing.”

The CBN explained that the implication of the policy is that Monetary Policy tools would become more effective with the attainment of a unified, well-functioning market for FX, where pricing is based on a willing-buyer and willing-seller system.

The apex bank said with this, the CBN’s core functions and mandates become realizable.

The CBN explained, “The willing-buyer and willing-seller system allows the exchange rate to adjust to clear the market and ensure that there is always supply. In recent months, the widening premium between the official rate and the parallel market indicates that the rate has not been setting a clearing price.

“Importers of these products rely on the parallel market to source FX for importing these goods. This puts additional demand pressures on the parallel market, thereby widening the gap with the official rate and permanently segmenting the market. Removing these restrictions eliminates the need for importers of these products to go to the parallel market, reducing the pressure on the naira.

“The hitherto FX restrictions had implications on inflation, causing the prices of affected goods to increase.”

However, the Senior Partner and Economist at SPM Professionals, Paul Alaje, argued that the decision was not well thought out.

“I don’t know who advised us on these 43 items. It’s important we rethink the decision before it is too late. Our issues are around insufficient FX.

“How is demand stimulation policy going to bring us out of the FX crisis? This may further weaken the naira,” Alaje said in reaction to the decision of the CBN.

The Governorship candidate of PDP in Lagos State, Dr Abdulazeez Adediran (a.k.a. Jandor), says he has filed an appeal to challenge the judgment of Lagos State Election Petition Tribunal which upheld the re-election of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Gbenga Ogunleye, the Head of Media and Communication of Jandor for governor Campaign Organization.

The statement was copied to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday.

Adediran said he filed a 34-ground appeal dated Oct. 13, to express dissatisfaction with the verdict of the tribunal.

He claimed that miscarriage of laws characterised the judgment, and prayed the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgment.

He said that the tribunal erred in law and reached a wrong conclusion when it dismissed his petition challenging the qualification of Sanwo-Olu for the March 18 governorship election.

He said that his petition was premised on the provision of Section 177(c) and 182(1)(j) of the 1999 Constitution.

“By this action, I reaffirm my commitment to birth a breath of fresh air in governance in Lagos State by ensuring that the provisions of the constitution and the electoral laws as regards election of a truly qualified governor, is upheld,” he said.

The Nigeria Police Force has commenced the recruitment process for qualified individuals into the rank of Police Constables in the General Duty and Specialist Cadres.

The Police Recruitment Board is set to open the application portal on October 15, marking the beginning of an essential phase in enhancing the Force’s capabilities and effectiveness.

The police said the online application portal is scheduled to be opened for six weeks from October 15 to November 26 where prospective applicants are required to complete the online application forms and submit same within the specified period via www.apply.policerecruitment.gov.ng

“Applicants shall be of Nigerian origin by birth and must possess the National Identification Number (NIN) with a minimum of 5 credits in not more than 2 sittings in WAEC/NECO or its equivalent with credit passes in English and Mathematics, and aged between 18-25 years for General Duty, and 18-28 years for Specialists; medically, physically, and psychologically fit and must not be less than 1.67m tall for male and 1.64m tall for female, with not less than 86cm (34 inches) expanded chest measurement (for male only),” the police said.

The police noted that applicants must be free from any financial embarrassment and not convicted of any criminal offence.

“The available Specialised Fields include Medical Assistant (Junior Community Health Extension Workers (JCHEW), Veterinary Assistant (Relevant Certificate in Animal Health/Livestock), Band Section, Communications/Info-Tech Specialist, Driver/Mechanic, Marine, Plumbers. Masons, Painters, Tilers, Electricians, Welders and Carpenters

“The Inspector-General of Police hereby issues a strong charge to all applicants, urging them to exercise vigilance and caution throughout the application process.

“He warned against the activities of fraudsters and individuals who may attempt to exploit the recruitment process for personal gain.

“The IGP assures that the Police Recruitment Board comprises dedicated and disciplined individuals who will ensure a transparent and merit-based recruitment process devoid of corrupt and other sharp practices.

“He emphasised that the application and selection process is FREE, and will be carried out through official channels and that unscrupulous activities should be promptly reported to the authorities for necessary action,” the police said.