Nation

NAPS Decries Poor Infrastructure, Neglect Of Kaduna Poly Students

Published

2 years ago

January 11, 2023

The Leadership of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has bemoaned the deplorable state of infrastructure and the neglect of students in the Federal Polytechnic, Kaduna.
They also called on the Federal Government and other relevant authorities to wade into the issue to ensure that all basic amenities due to the students were adequately deployed.
The Vice President, External Affairs of NAPS, Lawal Muhammed, made this call during a press briefing, with the theme, ‘State of Nigeria Polytechnic Hostel Facilities: Kaduna Polytechnic As A Case Study’, in Abuja, at the weekend.
Muhammed expressed regret over the poor percentage of budgetary allocation for the educational sector, stating that the fraction of it that was channeled to putting in place infrastructure in polytechnics, has yielded very little to providing habitable hostel facilities for the students.
Muhammed said: “Therefore, the leadership of the NAPS feels it’s very important to set the records straight for the public and the concerned authorities’ both ICRC and the Federal Ministry of Education to know that, it is no longer news how students are being neglected without the basic amenities that warrant a conducive atmosphere for learning.
“Revealing the very essence of this press conference has become an urgent task as it connects to accommodation problems and hardship being faced by a large number of Nigerian students, especially in Kaduna Polytechnic, as an effect of those who are opposing the right decision to be implemented.

“Despite allocating just a fraction of the little percentage of the budget to Education, the lean resources and under-funding of the Educational sector, the present Executive Secretary of NBTE, Prof. Idris Ibrahim Bugaje, who was the then Rector, had initiated the idea of Public Private Partnership (PPP), with the aim of raising the quality of the hostels to a more befitting standard and habitable.

“It is on record that a construction company, “Markpoint”, was awarded the contract but couldn’t meet up with the expectations, then came KYC Interproject, a reputable company with professional record in the construction sector, who acquired Markpoint.

“At this juncture, KYC Interproject advised that based on the initial agreement with Mark point, the earlier presented bill was to produce a low quality job, it therefore advised that, the entire process be revisited with the aim of raising the bar and changing the face of the hostels to an international standard.

“We want the government of Nigeria to know this, having presented the required BOQ to the present management of Kaduna Polytechnic under the leadership of Dr. Suleman Umar, has suffered a serious setback.

“It is clear that even when he was a Deputy Rector before ascending to the position of a Rector, he was always opposed to the wellbeing of Nigeria students and preferred to be using such projects as a conduit pipe to drain resources.

“We want to opine in strong terms that, the present Rector must be compelled by the appropriate quarters to submit for onward review the BOQ submitted by KYC interproject, to Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and the Federal Ministry of Education inorder to help meet up with the shortfall of students accommodation, to curb the problem of transportation, insecurity and rent outside the campus.

“The hostels to be renovated and upgraded with state-of-the-art aesthetics is Eighteen blocks with four thousand bed space (capacity).

“NAPS is calling and appealing in strong terms to NBTE, the federal government and Federal Ministry of Education, on the urgent need to call to a roundtable the contractor KYC interproject, to revisit and focus it’s lens on the plan submitted and, allow the company to move to site, since it has been sinking it’s personal funds based on PPP concession.

“Personal interest by the leadership of Kaduna Polytechnic mana

Nation

NUJ backs proposed strike by Lagos-owned media workers

Published

2 days ago

January 10, 2025

The Tide

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos State Council has thrown its weight behind the proposed industrial action by the Lagos State-owned media organisations.

The proposed industrial action is set to begin on Monday, Jan. 13.

In a letter jointly signed by the Lagos State NUJ Chairman, Mr Adeleye Ajayi, and the Secretary, Mr Tunde Olalere, on Thursday, the union expressed its support for the strike.

The letter, dated Jan. 9, was addressed to the General Manager of Lagos Television, Agidingbi, Ikeja.

The NUJ, along with the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Worker’s Union (RATTAWU) of the Lagos State Broadcasting Corporations, including Lagos Television, Radio Lagos/EKO FM, and Lagos Traffic Radio, had announced the proposed strike.

They said this was in response to the non-payment of the minimum wage and integration into the Oracle database by the state government.

The union leadership stated that it was fully aware of the several discussions, congresses, and notices given to the state government regarding the need for state-owned media house workers to be integrated into the Oracle database.

“You will agree with the union that these were enough notices given to address the issues at stake,” the letter read in part.

The leaders recalled that an initial 10-day ultimatum was issued, followed by a 21-day ultimatum, and finally, a seven-day final ultimatum.

“It is imperative that our members working in the state-owned media organisations should also enjoy the new minimum wage like other workers of the state,” the NUJ stated.

The union further noted that the revenue generated by state-owned media organisations could no longer sustain the payment of workers’ salaries and benefits, highlighting the urgent need for the state government to intervene for their survival.

“The welfare of our dear members is paramount and this is why the union deems it fit to support and pledge solidarity with our members going on strike,” the union stated.

The union also acknowledged the commitment and dedication of protesting workers to their duties in propagating state government policies and activities, stating that such dedication should be rewarded by the state government.

“The union, therefore, advises that only an amicable resolution and approval of the demands of our members can stop the industrial action,” the union stated.

Nation

New Rivers CP assures of non partisan …moves against human rights violation

Published

1 week ago

January 1, 2025

The Tide

The new Rivers state commissioner of police ,CP Olugbenga Adepoju has assured that his administration will remain apolitical in the discharge of his duties in the state.

Adepoju who officially assumed office last Friday as the 47th police commissioner of police stated this during his median press briefing held at state police command over the weekend in Port Harcourt.

He assured that under his watch as the police helmsman in the state his administration will ensure protection of human rights and warn that any police officer who violate the rights of people will be sanctioned in accordance with the police act and
urged Rivers people to hold the Police accountable, share view of people with police.

“We are committed to transparency.

My priority is to ensure safety, security and welfare of all residents in the state.
Being an economic hub of the country,the state faces challenges of crisis from political interest, economic sabotage illegal oil bunkering.

“I will ensure Rivers people sleep with their two eyes close. I have what it takes to keep the command safe.We do Intelligence gathering work with community and public engagement to proactively prevent crime.We have meetings and seminars with members of the public.”

“We will enforce discipline and ensure zero tolerance for corruption.I have my team.I will put them to work.There will be improvement on the part of my officers.

“We will Combat youth restiveness and cultism, oil theft, environmental crime. we will work with other agencies to ensure is reduce to the barest minimum.

“We will enhance response time and police visibility. We do all we can for our men to respond to distress call in time. We will deploy more men in metro. More visibility policing.

“We will address land grabbing issues.We will work with our legal team. If we have to partake in any execution order, we will look at it critically.

“We will enforce all vehicle regulations with human face. Especially tinted glasses. We may excuse those that have it from the factory. Either the vehicle will be impounded, the tinted glass removed or they are charged to court.

“Our men will not violate rights of citizens. If there is any violation of rights, it should be reported to the police for necessary actions. Our men will be more professional and polite to the people “he stated

CP Adepoju however urged residents of the state,the media and all necessary stakeholders to give the Police the relevant cooperation and support for effective policing of the society.

Akujobi amadi

Nation

Police invites assaulted female victim, assures of protection

Published

1 week ago

January 1, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Police Command says it has acknowledged a social media report on alleged assault of a lady by police officers along Evo Road, Port Harcourt.

A statement signed by the police public Relations Officer (PPRO),SP Grace Iringe Koko in Port Harcourt, yesterday said the police acknowledged the report of such alleged assault and invite the lady involved to visit the command so as to enable the command to commence investigation with a view to apprehend the officers involved.

“We urge the lady involved to visit the Police Headquarters to enable a thorough investigation into the matter. This step will assist us in identifying the officers involved and ensuring that appropriate actions are taken.”

“The Command appeals to members of the public to cooperate with police officers during stop-and-search operations, as these measures are essential in combating crime and maintaining security.”

“We also encourage residents to report any misconduct by police officers through the following channels:
• PPRO: 0816 135 5218
• Control Room: 08032003514, 08098880134
• Complaint Response Unit (CRU): 07057605256, 08120822987, 07072323049, 07057605209”

“Your cooperation is vital in helping us maintain accountability and professionalism within the Rivers State Police Command.
Thank you.”

Akujobi Amadi