The federal government has said the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) will defund any non-performing centre of excellence it established eight years ago.

Professor Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, said the government will not continue to reward indolence by giving free money to institutions that are not doing what they are supposed to do.

The minister spoke while receiving two reports of TETFund’s ad hoc committees on Assessment/Review of TETFund Centres of Excellence and Operationalisation of Skills Development Special Intervention.

“The government is encouraging our scholars to simply rise to the occasion and deliver on their scholarship, what world class scholars do; and we are not going to reward indolence. We can’t be giving free money to institutions that are not doing what they are supposed to do.

“In terms of the skill, we want to raise the equipment level of those institutions, polytechnic and others so that they can provide all the skill set that we need in Nigeria in the highest quality that can service the country and internationally,” he said.

On his part, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc Sonny Echono, said the fund will not continue to throw money away to centres that are not living up to expectations.

Echono disclosed that some centres have funds with TETFund that they have not accessed since inception.

“The funds are with us because we have not released until you reach a milestone, but while they have delayed in reaching those milestones, are causes of concerns.

The TETFund boss noted that the strategy for establishing centres of excellence was a very good one because TETFund realised that it didn’t have enough resources to improve all the facilities of all public institutions at the same time.

“The idea was to incubate, to have one centre, the right equipment, the right tools, the right faculty and experts, that would lead our efforts in research, in promoting scholarship at the highest level so that they can also inspire other centres.

“We are going to be pooling from other institutions within the area who want to do further research or who want to carry out any other exploratory study in those particular fields in those areas,” he said.

He said some of the centres have done fantastically well since inception, stating that a lot of them are doing innovations.

“Sokoto just came up with one major solution for us. For example, they were the ones that discovered this vaccine for Covid, in partnership with other institutions. Now we are also in the process of getting vaccines for Lassa fever and so many others.

“So, some are doing very well. And some have come up with prototypes that we now hoping to take to industries so that they begin to produce these goods and services,” he said.

On the non-performing institutions, he said, “If you were established five years ago and you are still at your infancy, you have not been able to provide modern laboratories, facilities for scholars to come and learn, we want to know why. But we don’t want to be arbitrary.

“So, it decided to look at some institutions to find out their relative positions in terms of the quality of their faculty, their reputation in certain courses and in certain areas and designated them as centres of excellence for those particular courses.

Earlier, the Committee on the Assessment/Review of TETFund Centres of Excellence, led by Prof Oyewale Tomori, in its report, decline to recommend any centre for upgrade

The report noted that most centres did not utilise their first seed grant of N150 million for the initial infrastructures required in the centres, and advised TETFund to provide some bail out funds to the centres to enable the proper take off of the centres.

The committee also called on the fund to ensure that all funds for the Centre of Excellence are disbursed directly to the Centre of excellence account.

“If the Centres are to achieve set objectives, TETFund in collaboration with institutions hosting the centres should ensure that Centre Directors are on full time assignment at the Centre.

“All Centres that are not performing well should be given six months moratorium as a way to prevail on them to refocus and achieve their true mandate after which a revisit will be conducted to determine their status and continue funding,” the committee recommended.

Also presenting the Report of the Advisory Committee on Operationalisation of TETFund Skills Development Special Intervention, the Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Nuru Yakubu, said the committee recommended polytechnics for TETFund Special Intervention according to zones.

“South-West: The five schools visited have shown preparedness except for the Polytechnic Ibadan because of the school leadership transition. It is therefore recommended that in 2024 the following two polytechnics should benefit; Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State and Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State for 2025 the committee recommends Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State and The Polytechnic Ibadan, if they can sort out their preparations.

“South-South: The committee recommends Port Harcourt Polytechnic, Rimuola, Rivers State, and Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic Ikot Osunaa for 2024 TETFund Special Intervention. For the year 2025, the committee recommends Delta State Polytechnic and another polytechnic to be identified

“South-East: The Institute of Management and Technology has been recommended for 2024 and for 2025, Abia State Polytechnic, Aba and Federal Polytechnic, Oko.

“North-East: The committee recommends Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi and Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri for 2024 Intervention and Adamawa State Polytechnic and Tatari Ali Polytechnic for 2025.

“North-West: 2024 Birnin Kebbi, Daura for 2025 Kano State Poly, Sokoto State Poly and North-Central: 2024 Nasarawa and for 2025 Lokoja and Ilorin.

The former manager, First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Onitsha branch, Nwachukwu Placidus, has been sentenced to a cumulative of 121 years in prison for diverting fixed deposit funds of a customer to the tune of N112,100,000 (One Hundred and Twelve Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira only) for his personal use.

Justice S. N. Odili of the Anambra State High Court sitting in Onitsha, handed the judgement on Friday following Placidus’ arraignment on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 by the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale who revealed this in a statement on Saturday explained that the Convict was arraigned on 16-count charges bordering on forgery, stealing, obtaining by false pretence and uttering.

The statement read, “One of the counts reads: ‘Nwachukwu Placidus between February 2009 and November 2014 in Onitsha, Anambra State within the jurisdiction of the Anambra State High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud obtained the sum of (N112,100,000) One Hundred and Twelve Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira only, from Idemili Microfinance Bank under the false pretence that you have placed the said money in a fixed deposit account with First City Monument Bank PLC for it, which pretence you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence.

“He pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him, thus setting the stage for his trial.

“In the course of trial, the EFCC, through its counsel, Mainforce Adaka Ekwu presented four witnesses and tendered several relevant documents which were admitted in evidence.

“In his judgment, Justice Odili held that “the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt” and sentenced the convict to nine years imprisonment on count 3, 4 years on count 4 and 9 years on counts 5 to 16 respectively. He was discharged on counts 1 and 2. The sentences shall run concurrently.

“The court further ordered the convict to restitute the said sum to his victim, Idemili Microfinance Bank.

“Placidus ’journey to the Correctional Centre began when a petitioner , Idemili Microfinance Bank LTD, alleged that the sum of N112, 100, 000 was handed over to him as the branch manager of FCMB in Onitsha, for fixed deposit. However, when the petitioner approached the bank to terminate and withdraw the deposit, the bank denied receiving the said funds.

“Upon receipt of the petition, the EFCC swung into action and investigations revealed that the convict diverted the money for his own use and issued a fake fixed Deposit Certificate to the petitioner.”

A mother and her infant child, including six others, have reportedly died after a tanker laden with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) fell and exploded along the Warri-Sapele road in Delta State.

The tragedy occurred Friday morning near Ometan junction, in Okpe Local Government Area along the ever-busy Warri-Sapele road.

The truck was said to have fallen and spilled its content on the road before exploding.

Residential buildings, makeshift caravans and vehicles as well as heavy duty trucks were lost to the fuel tanker explosion.

Eye witnesses said the tanker, which was headed from Effurun, lost control while trying to overtake another truck a few meters away from the boundary bridge between Uvwie and Okpe local government areas.

They said the victims gutted by the inferno were burnt beyond recognition, leaving several others injured and hospitalised.

Meanwhile, the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has visited the scene of the incident.

Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State has adjourned till June 3, further hearing in the divorce suit brought before it by a man, Ige, against his wife, Sikira, whom he accused of irresponsibility and infidelity.

Ige added that Sikira was a dupe.

According to Ige, Sikira lacked the ability to take proper care of him and their children and always carried out her duties towards them in a lackadaisical manner.

The plaintiff explained further that the defendant encouraged him to employ the service of a particular plumber when he was building his house, but unknowing to him, the man was her lover.

Ige stated that Sikira was having s3xual affair with the plumber on a regular basis while he was at work.

The plaintiff added that the defendant connived with the plumber to dupe him by adding extra amount to every item he bought when carrying out plumbing work at his site.

Ige said that Sikira eventually moved out of his house and went with all his property.

The plaintiff stated that he desired a fresh start and therefore wanted a clean cut from his wife, which was why he was in court.

The defendant denied all the allegations brought against her but gave in to divorce.

The defendant described the plaintiff as the pot calling the kettle black.

According to the defendant, the plaintiff was in the habit of drinking himself to stupour and beating her.

She told the court how she caught her husband having sex with a teenager in their apartment.

Sikiral further explained that he once came back home drunk and that he beat and tore her clothes to shreds.

She added that he took the nude pictures of her and sent it to his girlfriend.

The defendant also said that the plaintiff’s girlfriend urged him to seek a way of afflicting the defendant with madness.

According to his girlfriend, it would cost just N200 to perpetrate the evil.

Ige gave his testimony, saying, “My lord, I came to court today because I want a clean cut from my wife.

“Sikira has ridiculed me enough. My life is also not safe with her.

“I met and fell in love with her, and went to her parents with my family to ask for her hand in marriage.

“I paid her bride price and provided all that her family demanded as marital rite.

“Sikara, after all I have spent, got to my house and started misbehaving.

“I realised after we got married that she lacked the ability to run a proper home.

“My wife was lackadaisical concerning my welfare and that of our children.

“The attention and dedication of a loving mother and wife was obviously missing in our lives.

“Sikirat preferred to be out all day than stay back home to keep me and our children company.

“My lord, I stopped trusting my wife a long time ago.

“Sikira is wicked and was unfaithful to me.

“She introduced a plumber to me when I was building my house, and I employed him to do the plumbing work.

“I never had an inkling that the man was her lover.

“They were consistently having s3xual affair while I was away at work.

“Sikira went further to connive with this man to dupe me.

“She would ask him to add an amount to the items he purchased for the plumbing work and collect this from him.

“My wife made our home a hell to live in and also made my life miserable.

“She later left with all my property.

“My lord, I want to put my past behind me and start life afresh.

“I, therefore, pray that this court grant me a clean cut from my wife.

“My lord, I pray that you dissolve our marriage and grant me custody of our children, who she hardly showed affection towards.”

Sikira stated, “My lord, my husband is the pot calling the kettle black.

“All he said about me are lies.

“Ige is irresponsible. He was always drinking himself to stupour and punching me.

“I once caught him having sex with a teenager in our room.

“He once came back home drunk and, as usual, descended on me with punches.

“He went further to tear my clothes, took my nude pictures and sent them to his girlfriend.

“His girlfriend urged him to afflict me with madness.

“She told him it would only cost him N200 to do so.

“I did not pack out of his house. He threw my belongings out.

“I am also no longer willing to stay married to him.

“I pray that our marriage be dissolved.”

The court president, Mrs S.M Akintayo adjourned the case.

According to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited(NNPCL), the lingering fuel scarcity troubling Nigeria has been attributed to panic buying and exploitative practices by some petroleum marketers.

Naija News reports that in a bid to reassure the public, the NNPC has vowed that the current fuel queues will dissipate next week, asserting that it possesses sufficient fuel stocks to resolve the scarcity.

During a press briefing on Friday, NNPC spokesperson, Femi Soneye, disclosed that the corporation is prepared with over 1.5 billion litres of petroleum, which he insists is adequate for at least 30 days.

Soneye stated that while the NNPC is committed to ensuring fuel availability, the responsibility of fair distribution lies with the marketers, whom he accused of seeking to capitalize on the situation.

“The queues are clearing. They won’t just clear like that, because people are trying to hoard, while others are buying what they don’t need. That is why we keep saying there is enough product; there is no need to buy what you don’t need,” Soneye explained.

However, petroleum marketers have countered the NNPC’s position, arguing that the main issue is an inadequate supply of fuel, not their business practices.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) expressed frustration over the accusations, stating that marketers could not be blamed for hoarding a product that is simply not available in sufficient quantities.

IPMAN’s National Vice President, Hammed Fashola, stated, “That is far from the truth. You can only divert the product that you have. You don’t divert what you don’t have. On the issue of hoarding, you cannot hoard what you don’t have. It is not even making sense when you have fuel at this critical period, then you say you want to hoard it.”

Adding to the complexity of the situation, the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria confirmed the receipt of 300 million litres of fuel from eight vessels this week, suggesting that while supplies are arriving, distribution remains a challenge.

The South-West Regional Coordinator of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Ayo Cardoso, assured that the government is making concerted efforts to ensure the massive distribution of petroleum motor spirit (PMS) across the country.

“We have received over 300 million liters as of Tuesday. More have arrived as we speak, but I can’t give you the figure. Vessels will keep arriving in Nigeria for 15 days, which started counting on Monday, and we will keep distributing the product across the nation,” Cardoso stated.

As the NNPC and petroleum marketers navigate these turbulent waters, Nigerians continue to feel the impact of fuel scarcity, with many citizens facing increased hardship.

The situation has prompted calls for stringent measures against hoarding and profiteering, with the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources urging security agencies to take action against those exploiting the crisis.

Veteran actress, Shan George has claimed that her Zenith Bank account was drained of N3.6 million by an individual identified as Cecilia Chiagoziem Okoro.

In a video released on her Instagram account on Friday, the actress said she is “koboless” and appealed to Nigerians to help retrieve her money.

The actress shared a screenshot of the debit alert and wrote, “I need help cos I’m dy!ng. This person has just cleared my account.

“Pls my pple, everyone pls help. Pls Zenith Bank, Reverse it. I can’t access my app. I’m De@D”

In a video shared on her Instagram account, George called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and Zenith Bank to come to her rescue.

She added, “Cecilia Chiagoziem Okoro is the name of the person that has just wiped all the money in my account, 3.6 million into an Opay account.

“I am begging everybody, please Zenith bank, Opay, Abeg make una help me. I take God beg una.

“I don’t have any kobo anywhere again, what will I eat? I no fit beg, I beg una, make una help me.

“EFCC, Nigerian police, abeg, I don’t know the authorities, Zenith bank, I am begging you people.

“It’s just today, the 3rd of May, it’s not even up to an hour ago from now that I am doing this video.”

See the video below

The renowned Nigerian pastor and founder of Abel Damina Ministries International, Dr Abel Damina, has provided a controversial remedy to people addicted to pornography, Naija News reports.

In a recent chat on Comfort FM’s Righteous Invasion of Truth (RIOT) programme in Uyo last month, the controversial Christian cleric shared his perspective on how individuals struggling with pornography addiction can overcome it completely.

Damina, who was asked for advice on how to stop and eliminate pornography addiction entirely, suggested that instead of trying to quit forcefully, individuals should continue watching pornography while simultaneously listening to the teachings of God.

“Don’t struggle to stop watching the porn. Don’t struggle at all. Just keep watching the porn. As you are watching the porn, spend more time hearing the ‘word’. If you watch porn for one hour, spend three to four hours hearing the word of God.

“Take not. Go get all my teachings on Christ. Just keep learning and learning. After a while, you will find out that your appetite for porn is dying, and the appetite for the word of God is growing. Before you know it, when you see porn, you will be irritated.

“Word of God will kill that appetite completely and give you a healthy appetite. That’s what to do. Don’t try to stop. In fact, keep watching, but spend more time studying God’s word, and you will find out that before you know it, your desire for porn would be gone,” the pastor stated.

Nevertheless, the submission made by Damina has faced opposition, particularly from conservative Christians on social media which strongly believed that the pastor was promoting sinful behaviour, primarily among individuals struggling with addiction.

Gideon Odoma, a well-known pastor from the Fortress Ministry, responded to Damina’s submission by categorizing pornography as a perversion.

“Christains have trivialise sexcapades. The things God call iniquities, we must never call it flexing,” he said.

Naija News reports that the clergyman, who had previously criticized Damina and Apostle Suleman for favouring the Old Testament instead of the New Testament, stated that both individuals are promoting incorrect teachings with the intention of leading Christians astray.

“The Damina and Suleman terms are wrong. It is as if their only objective in life is to derail believers, so they have a lot of time on their hands, and they find different creative ways to say the same useless things — Your sin does not matter — they find all sorts of ways to discredit as it were,” he said.

Speaking on pornographic addiction, another well-known clergyman, Chris Oyakhilome, referenced Habakkuk 2:15 to convey that pornography is a sinful behaviour that must be abstained from.

He stressed that nudity is viewed as disgraceful by God, linking pornography to prostitution due to its roots in the Greek word “porneia,” which means prostitute.

“The indication is that once nakedness is being made public, it is a shame when you’re not a child. As far as God is concerned, that is a shame.

“It started from Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden apple. Their eyes were open and they found that they were naked and then covered themselves with leaves and hid from God. Christians desist from it. Those who believe in Jesus should not do it,” he stressed.

The appointment of Finidi George as the new head coach of the Super Eagles was a huge surprise in some quarters.

Of course, it was apparent that the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, was leaning towards an indigenous coach for the national team.

It is almost a pendulum with these appointments. When a local coach is not performing well with the Eagles, there will be calls for a foreigner. A yearning for a more tactically savvy handler.

When the foreigner fails – like Jose Peseiro did – the argument flips. You begin to hear talk of us encouraging Nigerian coaches, how they know these players more than anyone else and of course, the chance of harvesting talents from the Nigerian Premier Football League, NPFL.

The two names that were expected to be picked from this time around were Finidi and Emmanuel Amuneke.

A lot of observers expected the NFF to appoint Amuneke.

He won the hearts of the nation as coach of Nigeria’s U17 team, leading them to glory at the FIFA U17 World Cup.

On the continent, he qualified Tanzania for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations – their first in nearly 40 years.

However, Amuneke’s record with Egypt’s Misr Lel Makkasa and Zambia’s Zanaco left much to be desired.

The 53-year-old also failed to help the Nigeria U20 team qualify for the AFCON in 2017.

But Ayodeji Adegbenro, a Sports Administrator, insists the NFF has made the right choice.

“Finidi is miles ahead of Amuneke. He has won the league with Enyimba, has two seasons CAF Champions League experience. He also assisted Peseiro for 20 months,” Adegbenro tells DAILY POST.

“Amuneke has failed at every coaching position since he won the U17 in 2015. He’s one of the major reasons we didn’t qualify for Qatar. He shouldn’t be anywhere near the Super Eagles job,” he added.

Many have argued that Finidi represents the debris of Peseiro’s time in charge.

Adegbenro explained, “If we wanted Peseiro’s shadow looming over us in the shape of Finidi, why didn’t we just keep the Portuguese?

“He wanted more money to stay. We couldn’t afford it.

“However, my point is that, given a choice between Finidi and Amuneke, Finidi is way better.”

It could also be that Amuneke did not have enough backers in the room where the decision was made.

An insider tells DAILY POST the story of how Amuneke seemingly bungled the Eagles’ chances of playing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The source said: “He was drafted in by the Minister. On the morning of the second leg (against Ghana) in Abuja, he convinced Eguavoen to switch formation and play Osimhen as lone striker.

“Even though they trained with two strikers, Osimhen and Ighalo all week.”

All that is in the past. Looking to the future, Finidi has been saddled with the task of ensuring Nigeria qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Already, the three-time African champions find themselves in third place in Group C of the qualifying series, behind Rwanda and South Africa.

Their next fixture will be at home against Bafana Bafana.

“I think the expectation is for him to navigate the World Cup qualifying group. That is his immediate assignment.

“Having said that, I expect the NFF to give him the same support they would have given a foreigner. Allow him to pick the assistants he will work with.

“You might not pay him as much as you’re paying the expatriates. But pay him well. And pay him when due.

“And do not undermine his position before the players he is supposed to manage. Very important,” Adegbenro added.

A new report released in Abuja has unveiled a concerning landscape of food insecurity affecting a vast majority of Nigerian households.

According to the 2021 National Food Consumption and Micronutrients Survey, only about 21% of households in Nigeria are considered food secure.

Naija News reports that the survey, a collaborative effort between the Federal government, foreign partners, and stakeholders in the food sector, paints a dire picture with 79% of households facing varying degrees of food insecurity.

Dr. Olarinwaju Isiaka, one of the researchers presenting the report, highlighted some distressing statistics: about 59% of households are moderately food insecure, while another 20% face severe food insecurity.

The study, focusing on women of reproductive age, children aged 0-59 months, and adolescent girls, found that a staggering 41.5% of households had not had enough money to buy food in the week preceding the survey.

Adding to the complexity of food access issues, the report also sheds light on sanitation challenges. Approximately 23% of Nigerian households lack toilet facilities, which compounds the public health challenges associated with food insecurity.

The availability of clean water, a critical component of food hygiene and overall health also varies significantly across the country.

The report stated that 62.9% of households have access to improved water sources, 42.6% use borehole water systems, and 17.40% rely on protected well water.

The distribution of these resources is uneven, with the South East and South-South zones showing the lowest access to piped water but the highest access to borehole facilities.

The disparities in water supply were noted by Dr. Michael Ojo, the Country Director of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), who expressed concern over the decline in water supply infrastructure.

“It is worrisome that we are not going forward in water supply from 11-1.1%, showing a decline of 10% within a period of 10 years,” he said.

Dr. Ojo also critiqued the fragmented approach to addressing these critical issues, stating, “The reason Nigeria has an issue with the food system is that every stakeholder has been working in silos without addressing the root cause of the problem.”

He emphasized the need for concerted efforts to overhaul the nation’s food system, considering the entire chain of processes involved in food production and distribution.

Former Big Brother Naija contestant Ifu Ennada has shared a directed message to men regarding marital priorities.

In a recent Instagram post, Ennada emphasized that men who prioritize their mothers over their wives aren’t prepared for marriage and should reconsider tying the knot.

She further stated that anyone who wants to argue with her should read the scripture.

Ennada said: “To all the men who place their mothers above their wives. I believe any man who places his mother above his wife is not ready for marriage. In fact, he has no business being married. Before you argue with me, let Genesis 2.24 be your guide.”