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Atiku’s aide, Bwala gives reasons he may defect to APC and support Tinubu

Daniel Bwala, one of the spokesmen of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections has declared that he may defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Answering reporter’s question on yesterday if he was contemplating defecting to APC after a close-door meeting with President Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, Bwala said “APC is a party. President Bola Tinubu is my motivation; if supporting him will take me to APC, so be it.

“I told him today, I am committing to play my part to support your administration, and I have no apologies to anybody,” says Bwala

Bwala, an ardent critic of the APC and Tinubu government, had on January 2, 2024, said opposition political parties must form a strong coalition if they would successfully wrestle power from the governing APC in the 2027 general elections.

He lauded the President’s suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, saying, “some of his (Tinubu’s) Ministers that were allegedly reported to have committed infractions, instead of protecting them, he asked that the law should have its own course and suspended somebody without wasting time. That, to me, is impressive because it’s about the people.”

Commenting on Tuesday’s announcement of a 60 per cent slash in travel entourages for the Presidency and MDAs, Bwala said “There has been this outcry that the government is bloated. Yesterday, he introduced a policy that reduced the cost of governance and today, he told me it is just the beginning.”

According to him, the President assured him that more cost-cutting measures are underway to reduce the cost of governance.

“What have we been talking about as citizens is that if you don’t have a personal grudge against someone…if it is a policy issue.

“What I’m saying apart from today that I’m talking here is that you all need to visit my Twitter page. In the last few days, I have been expressing my surprise and appreciation to the President for the decisions he is making. So, this is not about political party. And you need to know that, like I said, I was with him before I left. And I was doggedly committed to him.” Bwala explained.

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Betta Edu: EFCC quizzes senior ministry officials

Investigators of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have questioned several civil servants over the financial scandal rocking the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

Naija News reports that the EFCC is investigating the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, ex-minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq, and Halima Shehu, the suspended National Coordinator and CEO of the National Social Investment Programme, an agency under the humanitarian ministry.


Edu is being investigated for authorising the transfer of N585 million into the private account of an accountant in the ministry, Bridget Oniyelu. At the same time, Umar-Farouq, who served as a minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was being probed over alleged N37bn money laundering.

Halima Shehu, on the other hand, was being questioned for allegedly moving N44bn NSIP funds into some private and corporate accounts without presidential approval.

According to The PUNCH, the EFCC operatives on Wednesday questioned many senior civil servants in the humanitarian affairs ministry.

It was gathered that the ministry’s top officials gave the investigators useful information that could help them unravel the financial malfeasance in the Ministry.

An EFCC source stated, “The women came today (Wednesday), and they’re cooperating with the commission.

“Also, director-generals and other senior officials under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs have been and are still being interrogated by the EFCC. Senior officials of some banks are still answering questions too over the alleged money laundering.’’

Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had on Monday suspended Betta Edu for requesting payment of N585 million naira into private accounts allegedly meant for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos States.

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Sadiya Umar-Farouq: ICPC Recovered N50 Billion From Humanitarian Affairs Ministry

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reportedly recovered N50 billion meant for vulnerable citizens during the tenure of former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq from the Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Ministry.

The massive sum of money, which was about to be embezzled, was recovered by the ICPC between July and August 2023 and paid into the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).


According to The PUNCH, the fund was blocked during attempts to transfer it into private bank accounts and recovered by the ICPC under its former Chairman, Bolaji Owasanoye.

A source disclosed that the funds were subsequently handed over to the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government.

“The funds were recovered when former President Muhammadu Buhari and Umar-Farouq were leaving office, and President Tinubu had yet to appoint a new humanitarian affairs minister.

“President Tinubu, upon the appointment of the now suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, ordered the Accountant-General of the Federation to refund the money to the ministry as part of the Infrastructure Support Fund for the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.

“The refunded sum is part of the N44bn allegedly laundered in the National Social Investment Programme Agency, and the N585m Edu authorized for disbursement,” the source said.

Another source said, “During the naira scarcity between late 2022 and 2023, the ICPC under Prof Owasanoye blocked and recovered the sum of N50bn from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

“The first sum that was blocked and recovered was N32bn, but when the commission probed further, another N18bn was blocked and recovered from the ministry. The ICPC discovered that the money was meant for the vulnerable and the poor people in the country, which the ministry under the former minister, Umar-Farouq, could not distribute due to the scarcity of currency during the naira redesign period.

“The money was paid into the coffers of the government between July and August 2023. Some officials in the ministry attempted to disburse the funds into private accounts during the time the former minister was no longer active in office, and there was no new minister last year. The ICPC immediately blocked the money after discovering the suspicious and fraudulent manner in which it was to be distributed, and it was recovered.

“After President Tinubu announced the Infrastructure Support Fund for the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal, the Federal Government paid the money into the coffers of the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry under Betta Edu, being the ministry in charge poverty alleviation projects.”

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Rivers Crisis: Fubara’s Chief Of Staff, Chidi Amadi Resigns

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s Chief of Staff, Chidi Amadi, has resigned from his position.

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, officially confirmed Amadi’s decision in a statement issued on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, stating that the governor will soon make a public announcement of a suitable replacement for Amadi.

Naija News understands that Amadi is a known loyalist to the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, who now serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

“The former Chief of Staff, Hon Chidi Amadi, has resigned. The governor will announce another Chief of Staff at the appropriate time.

“It is the prerogative of the governor to appoint when he wants it. He will tell us, and we will announce it, and you will also get the release to that effect,” Johnson told the PUNCH.

Amadi, who hails from Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State and is a kinsman of Wike, was unreachable when journalists made attempts to get comments from him as of the time of filing this report, Naija News understands.

Messages were reportedly sent to Amadi, including WhatsApp and text, but he did not reply to them as of Wednesday night.

With Amadi’s resignation, the number of Wike’s loyalists who have left Fubara’s administration since the political crisis between Fubara and his estranged political mentor, Wike, began, now stands at 10.

This development comes in the wake of calls for Fubara to appoint Edison Ehie, a former factional Speaker of the state House of Assembly, as Chief of Staff.

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Atiku’s Aide, Daniel Bwala Under Fire Over Visit To Tinubu

Daniel Bwala, the presidential campaign spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar during the 2023 elections, has been under fire on social media over his visit to President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.

Naija News reported that during the visit, Bwala declared his availability to work with the administration of President Tinubu, adding that he has no apologies to tender to anybody over his visit to the President.


Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain disclosed that he came at the invitation of the President.

Bwala stated that if supporting Tinubu meant joining the All Progressives Congress (APC), he was ready to join the party and dump the opposition PDP.

He said he is particularly excited about the recent policy decisions the President has taken, which, according to him, demonstrates that he is about the people and not just protecting his team.

Bwala also commended him for taking the decisions “against certain ministers who allegedly were said to have committed the infraction.”

After the visit, Bwala took to his account on the X platform to express delight at meeting the President.

He wrote: “Today I was delighted to meet @officialABAT, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, (GCFR) in the Villa to show appreciation and support for the bold decisions he is taking to deal with the crisis confronting our dear country.”

Following the development, some netizens took to the comment section of Bwala’s post on X to berate Bwala for betraying his principal and former vice president.

See some of the reactions below.

@RealAlmoner wrote: “A man without honour, a man without convictions, a man who is controlled by his stomach. Shame on you @BwalaDaniel. You couldn’t even stick to @atiku for one year after a failed bid to the presidency. Ha! Political jobber, political ashaworism, political stomach infrastructure. Shame!”

@dammygtnet wrote: “Corn dun dey your pocket. Atiku should be seen as an experienced politician but he keeps assembling funny people around him. Zero loyalty!”

@RealQueenBee__ wrote: “Political Jobbers are everywhere in Nigeria.”

@MissPeals wrote: “You speak from both sides of your mouth, Bwala; you are as unstable as the sea. No serious-minded person should ever take you seriously. Ever!”

@IamThatNaijaGuy said: “Atiku’s circle comprised individuals like Daniel Bwala and Reno O’mockery, who lacked genuine belief in his vision. Their allegiance rested solely on personal gain, leaving them scrambling for alternative opportunities as Atiku ceased funding. They are now desperately looking for new gigs. I knew PDP died the day they jettisoned their age-long tradition of zoning and allowed Peter Obi to leave the party.”

@tbaba100 wrote: “Politician has no shame.”

@Phranknigel wrote: “I really like the fact that you’re shameless, shows you’re willing to remain rich no matter what.”

@OgechukwuChime wrote: “Muslim Muslim ticket that made you left APC for PDP is no longer the issue. Politicians must align for personal interest.”

OwuruSamuel wrote: “I blame Atiku that allows himself to be the milked cow every 4 fours. In 2027, he will still recruit more hallelujah boys.”

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Last modified on Thursday, 11 January 2024 07:55

Bodies Of 11 Fulani Arrested By Soldiers Found In Kaduna Forest

 

 

 

Eleven decomposing corpses of Fulani from Tulde Fulbe, Ladduga Grazing Reserve in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, were on Monday discovered in a forest located near an area called “Crossing” within the local government area. 

The bodies, Daily Trust gathered, were identified by relatives and community members as those of the Fulani allegedly arrested by soldiers in the area at different times. 

 
 

Relatives and other members of the community, who could not hold back tears, took the pains of putting their loved ones in sacks after driving for over 30 minutes to get to the location where the bodies were allegedly dumped because they were decomposing.

 

The victims, namely Safiyanu Adamu, Abdulkadir Idris, Akilu Abdullahi, Ibrahim Abubakar, Magaji Umar, Said Saleh, Abdulaziz Yusuf, Ibrahim Sani, Musa Dan Asabe, Nura Yusuf and Nuru Magaji were said to have been arrested by soldiers.

 

 

But when contacted, the Army Headquarters in Abuja referred one of our reporters to the 1st Division of the Nigerian Army in Kaduna.

 

When contacted the army officials in Kaduna said they don’t kill suspects in their custody.

 

 

 

‘They intercepted us while taking my son to hospital’ 

Adamu Idris, who is the father of one of the victims, Safiyanu Adamu, alleged that he was taking his son to a hospital after being involved in an accident when he was arrested by the soldiers. 

 

He narrated: “My son had an accident on a motorcycle on his way back from Maulud celebration. I was at home when the news came to me. I was taking my son who was bleeding from his mouth to a hospital when the soldiers stopped us, took him and told us they were taking him to Abuja. They accused my son of being a thief, an accusation, which I denied. Before they left, they (soldiers) collected the N18,000 cash I was holding to pay my son’s hospital bills. 

“A week after his arrest, I was informed that his corpse had been found. I want justice for my son and all the other victims. The soldiers in the area are taking advantage of us, the Fulani. The government should wade in and bring the earring soldiers to face the wrath of the law”, said Malam Adamu. 

 

Another member of the community, Ayuba Muhammad, accused soldiers of raiding their homes and taking their property. 

 He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani to come to their aid and end “the injustice being meted on Fulani in Ladduga.” 

He said: “On the 28th of December, 2023, soldiers came into the community before a place called “Crossing” and killed three of our people. We do not know what their offence was, but we know them to be good people because even if we go to the police station here in Ladduga, you will find out that they have no records. 

 

“We called the police to see the corpses, they made their report and gave us permission to bury the corpses. We thought it was over, but unfortunately, it was not. So far, 11 people have been killed. They were arrested by soldiers and their corpses were found near the Navy Barracks in the area. 

“On the 30th of December, 2023, soldiers came to the “Crossing” market, they arrested some people and shot at Nuhu Yusuf in broad daylight. After that, they entered the village, took more people and raided some houses and took N30,000 from one of the houses. In another house, they went away with a bag of ginger, which was being dried. After that, they again came into our community in the night, raided some houses and went away with motorcycles and ginger. 

 

“We do not know our crime. We are law abiding citizens here in Ladduga, and we do not harbour criminals. We have continuously supported the security agencies in a bid to have peace in our community”, said Malam Ayuba. 

 Also, Suleiman Abdullahi, a relation of Nuru Magaji, one of the victims, narrated: “Last Saturday, we were taking tea early in the morning at the tea seller’s shop in the community when soldiers came asking how much was the cost of sugarcane. We told them that the sugarcane seller was partially deaf and so they had to come closer and speak louder. 

“As we were drinking our tea, the soldiers called my relation, Nuru Magaji and took him to the front of their vehicle and they asked him what was this. I did not really hear what they were saying, but the next thing I heard them say was ‘enter the car’. There was another man selling grains called Nura; the soldiers pulled him towards their vehicle and shot him. That was how we all ran for safety. That’s all I saw, and the next thing, their corpses were found. We want to call on the government to address this issue of intimidation and injustice by soldiers.” 

However, Abubakar Muhammad, a relation of Akilu Abdullahi, said the victim went to the market and was arrested by soldiers. 

“We did not hear from them since the arrest until their corpses were found,” he said. 

He also corroborated the allegation that the soldiers stole ginger, motorcycles, cash and other valuables from members of the community. 

He wondered what had changed in the atmosphere under which they have been living in that community, saying: “We have been living peacefully in this community since the days of our grandparents up till date.” 

The Village Head of Tilde Fulbe, Ladduga Grazing Reserve, Muhammad Yusuf, accused the soldiers of arresting and killing innocent Fulani without proper investigation.

He called for proper investigation into the matter.

We’re looking into the matter – Kaduna govt 

When contacted, the Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed receipt of a complaint by the Fulani leaders.

“We have received their complaint and we will look into it. Our doors are open and we will investigate. While we appeal for calm, we will look at the possibility of engaging them to understand what truly happened,” the commissioner assured.

We don’t kill suspects in our custody

One of our correspondents approached the spokesman for the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, for comment, but he said One Division in Kaduna would avail Daily Trust with necessary reactions.

The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Division Headquarters Kaduna, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya confirmed that troops of Operation Whirl Punch picked up a suspected bandit. He, however, said the suspect in their custody is alive and aiding investigation that will lead to the capture of one other suspect at large. 

He said, “The Commanding Officer of Operation Whirl Punch has confirmed that troops picked up a suspected bandit near crossing in Kachia Local Government Area and recovered a weapon from him. He is currently in their custody and is aiding investigation. 

“Acting of credible intelligence, troops of the division stormed Tilden Fulani on 30 December 2023 during which one Mr Ibrahim was arrested as suspect for involvement in terrorist activities and insurgency. The suspect is currently in our custody and had confessed to be involved in insurgency. He has further volunteered information that will assist the troops in subsequent operation.   The troops did not molest anybody or killed anyone as alleged. 

“On 21 December 2023 along Maro-Katul Crossing in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, troops of 1 Division while responding to a kidnap incident neutralized three kidnappers. 

“The kidnap victim, one Mr Rabiu Ahmed was stabbed and dispossessed by the suspects who fled when troops approached. Items recovered from the kidnappers include two machetes, the motorcycle dispossessed from the victim and 2 x mobile phones recovered from them alongside the sum of N15, 000 which they also collected from the victim. The victim was taken to a military medical facility where he was treated and his motorcycle and other belongings where returned to him,” he said.

[DailyTrust]

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Last modified on Thursday, 11 January 2024 06:46

I’ve no apology to anybody – Bwala vows to support Tinubu govt

Daniel Bwala, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has insisted that he is committed to supporting the present administration under President Bola Tinubu.

Bwala, a staunch critic of the governing All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Tinubu administration, categorically stated that he has no apology to anybody for his decision.

He spoke to State House correspondents after closed-door talks with Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.

 Image

He said, “I told him today that I am committing to play my part to support your administration, and I have no apologies to anybody.”

When asked if he would defect to the APC, Bwala responded: “APC is a party.

“President Bola Tinubu is my motivation; if supporting him will take me to APC, so be it.”

This is coming less than a few days after Bwala said opposition political parties must form a strong coalition if they are to successfully collect power from the governing APC in the 2027 general elections.

[DailyPost]

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Last modified on Thursday, 11 January 2024 07:21

[PRESS STATEMENT] A pivotal witness, and a custodial danger - Wole Soyinka

I have called for an independent, non-partisan commission to probe at length and in-depth, in public sittings, this scandal of expanding dimensions that has crippled the energy needs of a nation of two hundred million citizens over the past two decades. The latest development is sinister and alarming. Let it be understood that if anything happens to this pivotal witness while in custody, the inference will be heard loud, clear, and unambiguous

Agunloye

DR. Olu Agunloye, we learn, was finally charged to court today. The case was adjourned, and the presiding judge, in his or her wisdom, proceeded to remand the accused in Kuje prison, pending resumption of his case.

I wish to alert the nation and the government that there exists a justifiable, high-level concern for his safety.  His predecessor in office, the late Chief Bola Ige, was murdered in his bedroom by professional assassin even while his police protection detail took time off, all at the same time, to a nearby eatery. Till today, those mystery killers have yet to be identified, arrested and tried.

I have made it clear, even as recently as a few weeks ago, that Bola Ige’s murder was not unconnected with the Mambilla scam. Olu Agunloye worked closely with me, both within and outside routine police motions, to unmask Ige’s killers. It would therefore amount to unpardonable complacency to propose that there are no forces sufficiently desperate to accord him the same fate as Bola Ige. That goal is made easier by the abrupt decision to remand him in prison.

I have called for an independent, non-partisan commission to probe at length and in-depth, in public sittings, this scandal of expanding dimensions that has crippled the energy needs of a nation of two hundred million citizens over the past two decades. The latest development is sinister and alarming.

Let it be understood that if anything happens to this pivotal witness while in custody, the inference will be heard loud, clear, and unambiguous.

Wole SOYINKA

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Mambilla Power Project: Court Remands Former Minister Agunloye In Prison

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the remand of former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, in Kuje Correctional Service over an alleged $6 billion fraud.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned Agunloye before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges read against him.

The judge, however, ordered that the embattled former minister be remanded in Kuje Correctional Service pending when bail would be granted.

Confirming the development in a statement on Wednesday, the spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, said Agunloye was arraigned on seven counts bordering on fraudulent awarding of contracts and official corruption.

Oyewale said, “The EFCC on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 arraigned a former Minister of Power and Steel Development, Olu Agunloye before Justice J.O Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja. He was arraigned on seven count charges bordering on fraudulent award of contract and official corruption.

One of the counts read, “That you, Olu Agunloye, whilst being the Minister of Power and Steel on or about the 22nd day of May, 2003 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court awarded a contract, titled ‘Construction of 3,960mw Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station on a Build, Operate and Transfer Basis” to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited without any budgetary provision, approval and cash backing and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(4) of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act, 2000.”

Another count read, “That you, Olu Agunloye, on or about the 10th of August, 2019 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, corruptly received the sum of Three Million Six Hundred Thousand Naira (N3,600,000.00) through your Guaranty Trust Bank account no.0022530926 from Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited and Leno Adesanya for having conveyed the ‘approval of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the construction of the 3,960 megawatts Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station’ in favour of SPTCL which you did whilst serving as the Minister of Power and Steel without the approval of the Federal Executive Council contrary to and punishable under Section 8(1)(a) and (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.


“He pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to them. Thereafter, prosecution counsel, Abba Muhammed prayed the court for a trial date and to remand the defendant in a Correctional Centre. Defence counsel, Adola Adedipe, SAN, informed the court that he has filed a bail application for the defendant and prayed the court to grant him bail and commit him to the custody of the EFCC.

“Justice Onwuegbuzie ruled that the defendant be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre and set Thursday, January 11, 2024 for hearing on the bail application.”

The EFCC had in December declared the former minister wanted over an alleged case of corruption and forgery.

Agunloye was a minister under former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government (1999-2003).

He has since been at the centre of the controversy about the Mambilla project.

He was accused by Obasanjo of illegally awarding the project’s contract without the Federal Executive Council’s consent.

Agunloye has since denied the allegation.

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Last modified on Wednesday, 10 January 2024 16:33

UNILAG To Graduate 379 First Class At 54th Convocation

The University of Lagos says a total of 340 students will be graduating with first class at its 54th convocation scheduled for Jan. 17.

The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, disclosed this at a news conference to announce activities lined up for the ceremony on Wednesday, in Lagos.

According to her, the 340 are among the overall 17,464 students that will graduate during the period.

She noted that David Akanmu, from the Faculty of Engineering, had emerged the overall best graduating student, with a perfect score of 5.00 CGPA.

According to her, Ibrahim Quadri of the Faculty of Management Sciences, with a CGPA of 4.94, is the best graduating student in Humanities.

Giving a breakdown of statistics of the overall graduating students, Ogunsola noted that 10,578 of them would receive first degrees, while 6,886 others, would be honoured with the postgraduate degrees.

The don further explained that of the 340 that would be honoured with the first class degree, a total of 97 of them are from Management Sciences, with 57 from the Faculty of Science.

She added that 47 others are from the Faculty of Engineering.

Ogunsola said there were 39 distinctions from the Faculties of Pharmacy, Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Sciences,

“Of the total number of distinctions posted, 24 of them were from the Faculty of Pharmacy.

“Furthermore, from the total number of graduating students, a total of 3,374, will be conferred with the Second Class upper degrees, while 4,547 others will be admitted in the Second Class lower division.

“We have 1,832 others graduating in the 3rd Class division, 188 with Pass and 250 others with unclassified degrees from the Faculties of Pharmacy, Basic and Clinical Sciences,” she stated.

Speaking further, the vice chancellor noted that of the 6,886 postgraduate degrees, a total of 465 would be awarded postgraduate diplomas, 6,266 are graduating with Masters, out of which 377 posted distinctions.

“Most exciting is that 31 of the Master’s degree graduates are international students, all with MSc degrees, who were supported by World Bank grant through the African Centre of Excellence for Drug Research, Herbal Medicine Development and Regulatory Science (ACEDHERS).

“The centre Director, Dr Bola Ademilua, together with her team, worked extremely hard, to achieve this.

“This is the first time we will have such a harvest of international students at one convocation in the history of this university and this further reiterates and
validates the aggressive internationalisation drive of this administration and previous administrations.

“This year too, 155 graduands will be awarded the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree in various disciplines. The overall best Ph.D. Thesis award for this year, which is also the best PhD in the Sciences, goes to Aminat Olawunmi Ige, with a Ph.D. in Mathematics.

According to her, the university of Lagos Business School will be graduating its first set of students as an autonomous school for the first time this year.

Ogunsola noted that in repositioning the business school to be more globally competitive, management had unbundled it from the School of Postgraduate Studies.

“So, it now has its own recognised certificate. A total of 62 students will be graduating from the Business School this year and the overall best graduating student is Abiola Oluyemisi ITAKPE, with a CGPA of 4.84. She obtained the Master of Business Administration.

“Let me seize this opportunity to thank members of Senate, staff and all stakeholders for their commitment and loyalty to UNILAG despite the challenges of last year.

“The University recorded many significant wins despite our challenges, especially successes in the quality and quantum of research and grants, improved collaborations and partnerships with other universities and industry within and outside Nigeria, as well as exchange programmes for staff and students,” she stated.

Ogunsola said that no fewer than four visually challenged students were among the graduands.

The vice chancellor stated that in pursuance of the ‘FUTURE READY AGENDA’ of the institution, management had made firm strides in growing its finances, infrastructure, reputation and manpower, adding that 2023 was one of consolidation, seed sowing and growth.

Speaking further on the activities lined up for the ceremony, Ogunsola stated that there would be a special Jumat service on Friday, Jan. 12 at the institution’s Central Mosque.

She said that there would be the opening of an exhibition on Monday, Jan. 15, to showcase and celebrate inventions and innovative ideas of students and faculty members.

“There will be no commissioning of projects at this convocation, as the commissioning of the new 484 bed hostel donated by Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila was commissioned on Jan. 3, by the Hon. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

“At 12:00 noon on same day, the Convocation Lecture titled: ‘Decolonizing African Higher Education for Transformational Development’ will be delivered by Prof. Toyin Falola a distinguished professor of History at the University of Texas at Austin U.S..

“Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, Chairman of Tanus and one of the most successful Managing Directors of Daily Times and former Pro-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (O.A.U) will chair the occasion.

“The congregation for the award of first degrees, diplomas, certificates, and prizes to graduating students across all faculties and the Distance Learning Institute (DLI), will take place in morning and afternoon sessions, on Tuesday, Jan. 16 and Wednesday, Jan. 17.

“On Thursday, Jan. 18, Postgraduate Diplomas, Masters, and Ph.D. degrees including DBA and EMBA will be conferred on graduates of the School of Postgraduate Studies and the University of Lagos Business School (ULBS),” she stated.

The vice chancellor noted that the highlight of the ceremony would be the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees in recognition of personalities who had distinguished themselves by significantly contributing to scholarship and societal development in various fields.

She said that this year’s ceremony would witness the award of degrees to three of such persons, including Prof. Toyin Falola, Phyllis Kanki, a professor of Immunology at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health in Boston.

Ogunsola said that Kanki was the first person to isolate HIV2 which causes a milder form of AIDS that was more commonly found in West Africa.

“She has contributed significantly to Medical Education, HIV research and building research capacity across Nigeria, and Africa.

“Also to be honoured is Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, a professor of Political Science, a sound intellectual, an astute administrator with a strong sense of ethics, who revolutionized Nigeria’s electoral process and conducted an internationally acclaimed free and fair election,” she said.

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