Author: premier radio premier radio

Yabatech in dialogue with NBC, starts radio transmission soon

NAN-H-11

Radio

By Olayinka Olawale

Lagos, Jan. 27, 2018 (NAN) The Management of Yaba College of Technology says it is dialoguing with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to resolve a disagreement delaying take-off of the college’s radio station.

Dr Charles Oni, Director, Public Relations Unit, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

He said that the conflict borders on the use of the licence in both campuses of the college at Yaba and Epe, for which the college duly applied.

“We have an area of conflict with NBC. Initially, when we applied for the licence, it was intended for both campuses.

“But now, NBC is saying otherwise. We are trying to sort it out,’’ Oni said.

According to him, the management has completed a new digitalised studio for the radio station and will begin test transmission soon.

He said that the fully digitalised radio studio, with state-of-the-art gadgets, was built and funded by the college.

Oni said that the radio station would be used to train students in the non-formal education setting.

He said that the college wanted to key into training in non-formal education essentially, through the open distance and flexible learning system.

According to him, non-formal education is important and central to mass-literacy, especially in areas of vocational and technical education in Nigeria.

“We are trying to emulate India, China and some other countries where radio is being used as an input to enhance mass education.

“With the radio, students may not need to come to the classroom if they enrol with us on that platform.

“Students can receive lectures wherever they receive the radio station frequency.

“We are talking with Nigeria Broadcasting Commission on this innovation and so as soon as they give us the final approval, we will go on air fully.

“We have received our operating licence since December 2015.’’

Oni said the college would develop courses and programmes that would suit people in the non-formal sector.

“Through the radio, lectures, seminars and workshops will be transmitted to students.

“It will be based on an agreement between the students and the college.

“We can reach out to mechanics, tailors and technicians, among others who are in the informal sector.

“They can learn while at work, and when it comes to the examination, we will arrange how they write their examination,’’ he said.

Oni said apart from education, the radio would also be used for enlightenment, news and transmission of cultural programmes.

“The studio is ready; the NBC has visited the college to inspect it; everything is ready.

“We even had a test transmission during the 70 years anniversary of the college in October 2017,” he said. (NAN)

OOG/AIB/SOA

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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Oluwole Sogunle

Jega advocates reformation in election volunteering ahead of 2019

NAN-H-

Volunteering

By Chinyere Nwachukwu

Lagos, Jan. 25, 2018 (NAN) Prof. Attahiru Jega, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says electoral volunteering require reformation to maximise its benefit ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Jega said this at a public lecture organised by the University of Lagos Muslim Community in honour of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Rahamon Bello, on Thursday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the lecture is: “Prospects and Challenges of involving Volunteers in Nigeria’s Electoral Process”.

According to him, such reform will reposition the continuous role of members of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) and academics in the election processes.

He noted that this would open avenues for additional groups of professionals like engineers, doctors, journalists and others to join in volunteering.

“In doing this slowly and steadily, it will set up measures to move in the direction of recruitment of volunteers, using a database of all those who have done election duty before.

“Even when they have moved out of the NYSC or universities as students.

“INEC, as an electoral body, needs to pay more attention to the identification and selection of credible individuals and Chief Security Officers as volunteers and partners for bringing about electoral integrity,’’ Jega said.

According to him, the case for an increased role of volunteers in the Nigerian electoral process cannot be over-emphasized.

He said volunteering was desirable, and if appropriately deployed, could add values to the integrity of elections.

The don observed that since 2015, there has been enthusiasm and passion for volunteerism in the electoral process for both individuals and civil society organisations.

“In 2011, the Transition Monitoring Group, a network of the CSO and professional groups working on elections, has mobilised and deployed thousands of volunteers for election observation and gathering data for parallel results tabulation.

“However, it is worrisome that some corrupt politicians are beginning to find creative ways to compromise youth corps members and some students involved in election duties.’’

He added that these politicians were also increasingly penetrating and compromising seemingly credible CSOs.

“Similarly, as the use of academic staff as collation and returning officers has become predictable, corrupt politicians are increasingly snooping around university campuses and INEC offices, especially over governorship elections.

“They are also inducing lecturers with money, in the hope of compromising their role in result collation and tabulation.

“So far, there is no evidence that they have succeeded, but the tendency is increasing and it is of great concern,’’ he said.

From the experiences garnered in the 2011 and 2015 general, governorship, bye and rerun elections, Jega said that the current role of volunteers, as necessary and desirable as it was, “leaves much to be desired’’.

He added that many challenges have arisen and needed to be appropriately addressed, in order to confer greater credibility and integrity to subsequent elections.

“One key reform measures introduced by INEC beginning with the 2011 general elections and improved upon subsequently, was the removal of civil servants and permanent INEC staff from core election day duties.

“These were replaced volunteers drawn from the NYSC as presiding officers and assistant presiding officers, students of federal tertiary institutions and university academic staff.

“But these core members have been threatened, intimidated assaulted, maimed and even killed in the course of their voluntary election duties.

“These emerging challenges need to be carefully studied and urgently addressed with appropriate measures deployed in order to protect the gains recorded.

In his remark, the chairman of the Unilag Muslim Community, Prof. Lai Olurode said one of the areas of concern for INEC under Jega was how to deploy Nigeria’s immense and inexhaustible social capital in service of its electoral regime.

He noted that previous attempts by INEC to track campaign and election expenses had been challenging for reasons of a paucity of information and logistic issues.

According to him, it is the responsibility of the Muslim community in an academic environment to make the utmost of every social outing to interrogate pertinent public issues that could extend the frontiers of citizenship.

Responding, the honouree and former VC, Prof. Bello expressed delight at the gesture of the Muslim Community, saying that he was proud being a member of the institution’s Muslim community.

“As Muslims, we have the obligation of doing all we have to do, according to the Islamic tenets and the will of Allah.

“We must be vanguards and good ambassadors of Islam at all times,” Bello, whose tenure ad the 11th VC of the university ended on Nov. 11, 2017, said.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, described the occasion as apt, given the current state of the country. (NAN)

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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde

NAN-H-87
Exhibition
By Olayinka Olawale
Lagos, Jan. 24, 2018 (NAN) The acting Rector, Yaba College of Technology, Dr Taiwo Oyelola, has advised students of the institution to place emphasis on practical aspects of their training for future prospects.

Oyelola gave the advice on Wednesday at a Photograph exhibition organised by final year students of Mass Communication Department of the college in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exhibition consists of framed works depicting the structures on Yabatech campus and novel ideas around the college in 2017.

The theme of the exhibition is: “Yabatech in 2017”.

She said that industries were waiting for “graduates, who can do, rather than those who can tell’’.

The acting rector commended the students, consisting of final year Higher National Diploma and National Diploma (Full and Part-Time), for documenting, through photo-journalism, events in the college for posterity.

“You can hardly grasp the essence of these works beyond their aesthetics; but I tell you, you have chronicled for the future generation.

“Researchers may wish to know what the college looked like in 2017; that on its own, is an achievement you should all keep up,’’ the acting rector said.

Oyelola also commended the department for channelling the young people’s energy toward creativity.

She also praised the lecturers in charge of the project, Mrs Olufunke Adesanya and Mr Femi Olagoke, for letting their expertise rub off on upcoming generation.

Also at the exhibition, the Deputy Rector (Admin), Dr Raheem Omobayo, described the exhibition as fantastic and educating. (NAN)
OOG/AIB/GOK
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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Olagoke Olatoye

NAN-H-85
Arrest
By Chinyere Nwachukwu
Lagos, Jan. 23, 2018 (NAN) The National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Tuesday announced the arrest of a fraudster allegedly collecting N12,000 to register candidates for the 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Lagos.

The Lagos State Coordinator of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Mr Sunday Aladegbaye, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Aladegbaye said the arrest was made possible through the collaboration of the men of the NSCDC.

According to him, acting on JAMB’s tip-off, men of the NSCDC, Lagos State Command arrested the fraudster who is alleged to be registering candidates for the 2018 UTME.

“One man (names withheld) was picked up at the Action Centre Junior Grammar School, Alagbado, in Lagos.

“The said fraudster was allegedly collecting N12, 000 per candidate for the registration.

“The fraudster is now in the custody of the NSCDC’s Lagos state command,’’ he said.

Aladegbaye reiterated the board’s commitment towards ensuring that the activities of fraudsters in the UTME were checked.

He lauded men of the NSCDC for partnering the board in sustaining the integrity of the examination. (NAN)
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(Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Idonije Obakhedo)

NAN-H-1
Convocation
By Chinyere Nwachukwu
Lagos, Jan. 17, 2018 (NAN) The University of Lagos (UNILAG) says it will begin its 50th convocation ceremonies for the 2016/2017 academic session on Feb. 19.

The institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the yearly interaction with newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos.

He however said the four-day convocation activities which would end on Feb. 22. would be slightly adjusted, and would be different from those of the past.

“This time, we will make a few changes and introduce a few items to make the ceremonies lively and memorable.

“For instance, the convocation venue will move from the usual multi-purpose hall known as Jelili Omotola Hall to the main auditorium known as Ade Ajayi Hall.

“But we will soon come up with a line-up of events to kick-start the convocation.

“The events normally begin with a convocation media briefing, followed by the convocation lecture, among others,’’ the vice-chancellor said.

Ogundipe explained that the university management would also ensure a rebranding of the institution, especially in the area of research, innovation, incubation and entrepreneurship. (NAN)
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(Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde and Olawale Alabi)

uploads/2017/08/DMO-Ms.jpg Ms Patience Oniha, the Director-General, Debt Management Office (DMO) (NAN photo)

NAN-H-113
Capital
By Abdulfatah Babatunde
Lagos, Jan. 16, 2018 (NAN) The Debt Management Office (DMO) says the release of N1.2 trillion for capital projects by the Federal Government in six months is a positive development in the country.

The capital projects are contained in the 2017 Appropriation Act.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the 2017 budget was only finalised in July 2017, when its implementation started.

The DMO said in a statement on Tuesday evening that the disbursement of the N1.2 trillion, over a short period of six months to capital, “is a strong and positive development in Nigeria’’.

“The release of such a large amount for capital projects is a strong demonstration of the commitment of the present administration to prioritise improvement in infrastructure in order to stimulate economic growth and development.

“Since the 2017 Budget is still being implemented, more releases to capital expenses are expected,’’ the statement read in part.

The DMO also stated that in line with its statutory mandate of funding federal budgets, it raised a total of N1.254 trillion from the Domestic Market through the issuance of Federal Government of Nigeria Bonds, Nigerian Treasury Bills, as well as Sukuk and Green Bonds.

“This amount was consistent with the provision for New Borrowing in the 2017 Appropriation Act.

“The DMO also raised USD2.8 billion in the International Capital Market through a USD300 million Diaspora Bond in June 2017 and a USD2.5 billion Eurobond in November 2017.

“Altogether, these represent about 80 per cent of the N1.0675 trillion (about USD3.5 billion), provided as New External Borrowing in the 2017 Appropriation Act.

“The outstanding amount of USD700 million in External Borrowing is expected from multilateral sources,’’ the DMO said. (NAN)
AIB/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NANH-31
Condemnation
By Abdulfatah Babatunde
Lagos, Jan. 15, 2018 (NAN) The Muslim Congress (TMC), a faith-based organisation, has condemned `senseless’ killings in several parts of the country by Boko Haram, herdsmen, kidnappers, cultists and armed robbers.

The congress made the condemnation in its first quarter, 2018, address on the state of the nation.

The address was presented by  Dr Luqman AbdurRaheem, Chairman, TMC Committee on Social Mobility, Economy and Politics.

The TMC, however, praised the Federal Government for efforts in tackling security challenges

“The security challenge by the Boko Haram terrorist organisation is being frontally tackled by the military.

“A commendable crucial step was the recent approval of one billion U.S. dollars by the Governors’ Forum for fighting security challenges.

“This should step up intelligence gathering and upgrade the armoury of the security personnel,’’ it said.

The organisation described the recent killings in Benue as shameful.

“We condemn Benue killings that have led to the loss of about 71 lives in one week.

“We commiserate with the families of the deceased, and urge the Federal Government to go after the perpetrators and ensure they are brought to book.

“The killings between herdsmen and farmers are security breaches that have gone far.

“A holistic approach that settles amicably the use of land between these two groups must be sought and enforced.’’

On sad experiences of some Nigerians and some Africans in Libya, TMC cautioned the citizens against travelling without genuine documents.

“Such journeys, especially through the desert, are fraught with dangers of unimaginable proportions.

“Nigerians should not put themselves through more hardships,’’ it said.

The group urged the Federal Government to continue to provide assistance to stranded Nigerians who want to return home.

It also appealed to state governments to help to rehabilitate returnees.

The committee hailed the ban on open grazing, saying that it would go a long way to stop the killings.

“Security operatives must go all out to arrest anybody who contravenes the law,’’ it said. (NAN)

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Edited By Ijeoma Popoola

NAN-H-33

Arrest

By Chinyere Nwachukwu

Lagos, Jan. 14, 2017 (NAN) The Police have arrested two men in Lagos for allegedly engaging in an illegal registration of candidates for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The Lagos State Coordinator of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Mr Sunday Aladegbaye, confirmed the arrest in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

“Two men and co-owners of a computer-based test centre, Vision Computer Academy, were on Saturday night arrested for allegedly engaging in the illegal registration of candidates for the 2018 UTME.

“The Academy is located at No. 1, Ganiyu Adeboyejo Close, Eputu London, Eputu Bus Stop, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos.

“The arrest, carried out by men of the Nigerian Police from Adeniji Adele Police Station, Lagos Island, was made possible after a tip-off from members of the public.

“We were informed that the Lagos Island Primary School, Sura was allegedly being used for the illegal registration exercise.

“These suspects, whose CBT centre was legally accredited for the exercise, had moved a router and computer systems to an illegal location to engage in fraudulent practices and extortion of candidates,’’ Aladegbaye told NAN.

According to him, the board’s preparations for the 2018 UTME is in top gear.

He warned that the examination body was determined to fish out bad eggs that may try to frustrate its efforts at standardising the conduct of examination and admission processes in Nigeria.

NAN reports that the board had postponed 2018 UTME mock earlier scheduled for between Jan. 22 and Jan. 24, to the first week of February.

It had cited the ongoing strike by the non-teaching labour unions of universities as being responsible for the postponement.

The board explained that many of the accredited centres were located in the institutions where the strike is taking place nationwide. (NAN)

CCN/AIB/MTM

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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Tukur Muntari.

NAN-H-43
Universities
By Chinyere Nwachukwu
Lagos, Dec. 28, 2017 (NAN) Nigerian universities can rank best in Africa, if we can have a stable academic calendar, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, has said.

Ogundipe spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos against the backdrop of incessant strikes by labour unions in the nation’s university system.

According to him, there is need for everyone, especially the key stakeholders in the education sector to look inward to ensure that crisis which gives rise to strikes are managed effectively.

“I make bold to say that universities, especially the first generation institutions in the country, can be ranked best in Africa if we can have a stable academic calendar.

“There is need for everyone to look inward and manage the crisis in the system effectively so that our university system can be ranked among the best in the world,’’ Ogundipe said.

He said that there was need for Nigerian Government too to take the running of universities and other related issues seriously.

“If you want to run a university, you should go all out and do it in line with the best practices.

“We are talking about the global ranking of universities, and here we are still grappling with the issues of strike.’’

The VC noted that such development do not speak well about the country as “lots of people around the world are reading and taking note of it’’.

He explained that most of the facilities that would guarantee conducive teaching and learning environment were being handled by non-academic (support) staff that were on strike.

Ogundipe added that with the strike, their academic staff counterparts and others were now forced to adjust to the situation.

“The strike has affected the operations of the university indirectly,’’ he said.

According to him, issues of power and water supply, the use of laboratory and others have taken their toll on the operations of the university.

“I am sure that the academic staff will be up to their assignments.

“This group of staff is not on strike; the classrooms are open, lectures are going on since the inception of NASU strike.

“Even, as we resumed on Dec. 27, lectures have started in most faculties in Unilag.

“The non-teaching staff has their grievances; the strike is a national strike and not a local one.

“To this effect, there is little the university authorities can do,’’ the vice-chancellor said.

NAN reports that the unions, under the aegis of JAC, had on Sept.11 declared an indefinite strike across all the federal universities over the non-implementation of an agreement they entered into in 2009 with the Federal Government

The strike was suspended while dialogue continues between the parties, only to embark on another strike on Dec. 5.

Mr Solomon Ugwoke, the National President of JAC, who also doubled as the president of SSANU, one of the striking unions, had stated that there was no going back on the strike. (NAN)
CCN/AIB/GOK
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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Olagoke Olatoye

NAN-H-34
Scarcity
By Abdulfatah Babatunde
Lagos, Dec. 28, 2017 (NAN) The Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef, has appealed to stakeholders in the oil industry to collaborate in addressing the current fuel scarcity in the country.

Abdul-Lateef made this appeal on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Odosengolu, near Ijebu-Ode in Ogun.

The commissioner was speaking on the side-line of the formal closing of the 24th National Islamic Training Programme (NITP) organised by The Muslim Congress (TMC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the NITP training was “Witnessing Unto Mankind”.

He described the fuel scarcity as “man inhumanity to man’’ and challenged fuel marketers to be sincere, just and avoid inflating the price or hoarding the commodity.

“Some people, because of the desire to increase the fuel price, have started to hoard the commodity and begin another chapter in our unimpressive attitude.

“I think the marketers and all the stakeholders must have the fear of God in mind and understand that life is not all about money.

“Life is about the happiness of all; because if we continue to impoverish Nigeria at the expense of so many people, we will continue to give birth to criminality,’’ Abdul-Lateef said.

Earlier, the President of TMC, Dr Luqman Abdur-Raheem explained that the NITP was a camping programme designed to build the spiritual, intellectual and social capacities of Muslims.

“At NITP, we learn Quran, Hadith, Fiqhu, Current Affairs and Issues around the Muslim world.

“It provides a platform for knowledge-sharing, socialisation and networking.

“This is the 24th edition, during which members and leadership of TMC rub minds on peaceful coexistence, nation-building and the development of Islam in all ramifications,’’ Abdur-Raheem sai.

He noted that the Muslim community was in a trying period when the Muslims, the mosques and Islamic symbols of Hijab for female Muslims are under attacks.

“We advise all Muslims to protect Islam with all resources at their disposal.

“But bombing, sabotage and killings of innocent persons are not lawful means for calling and witnessing unto mankind.

“These are methods of terrorists. Terrorists in Nigeria and in the Arab world have stolen our physical appearance and pretend to be Muslims.

“They have satanic and cultic ideologies, which are antithetical to Islam – a phenomenon of Muslim Identity Theft.

“We restate our organisation’s commendation to the Federal Government in its fight against corruption, economic sabotage, indiscipline, terrorism and impunity.

“The government is making appreciable progress but there is need for the Muslims and Non-Muslims to provide workable template from our heavenly revealed religions to the three tiers of government.

“We should also accompany this with prayers and cooperation for national development,’’ Abdur-Raheem said. (NAN)
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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz