Connect with us

News

Review School Fees Hike, ASUU President Urges FG

Published

on

The National President, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, has urged the Federal Government to review the hike in fees in its schools.
He urged the government to do so and find a safe landing for the nation’s future leaders.
Osodeke was speaking against the backdrop of the recent hike in fess of Unity Colleges and some first generation public tertiary institutions in the country.
He told The Tide source in an interview on Sunday in Lagos that the hike in fees could be counterproductive.
Recall that the University of Lagos was the latest of the public universities to increase its fees from N25,000 to almost N200,000, depending on programme.
The university had announced an adjustment in the obligatory fees for both returning and new students of the institution, with effect from September 1, for the 2023/2024 academic session.
A breakdown of the fees by the institution showed that the mandatory charges for one academic session for new undergraduate students are N126, 325, for courses without laboratory/studio.
It also approved N176,325 as mandatory charges for one academic session for courses with laboratory and studio.
A further breakdown of the approved mandatory charges for one academic year for returning students showed N100,750 for courses without laboratory and studio, while approved mandatory charges for courses with laboratory and studio was N140,250.
Approved charges for Medical students was put at N190,250.
The institution also fixed N20,000 as utility charge to be paid by all undergraduate students, while a total of N30,000 was to be paid by all final year students.
According to the university, the review came after careful deliberations with its stakeholders (students, parents/guardians, staff unions, alumni among others).
It had explained that the adjustment in fees was in view of the prevailing economic realities, for it to be able to meet its obligations to its students, staff and municipal service providers among others.
Osodeke said that the best way out to issues was to adopt holistic approach, noting that policies should be people centred.
“I think the whole thing now boils down to the parents. These have been part of our agitations. We were fighting on the need to right some wrongs, but rather than get support, we were attacked.
“It may interest you to know that UNILAG is not the only tertiary institution that has hiked fees in recent times.
“The likes of Bayero University Kano, Benin and Abuja among others, have all done the same. What this will translate to, is for children of the poor to withdraw from school.
“However, we should be mindful of the inherent danger that may accompany such development, when it comes to vices, especially among youth. It could become a willing pool to recruit from. It is indeed sad.
“We hope the current administration will review the whole situation and find a safe landing for these our future leaders.
‘Government could set up a high-powered commission, made up of people of integrity and brain, to review all the issues, as it concerns the country’s education sector. And like I said, it has been done in the past,” the unionist said.
Also reacting, one of the students of the institution who pleaded anonymity, called on well meaning Nigerians to prevail on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene on the situation.
The 400 level student of the Faculty of Engineering told NAN that the hike in fees could mean the end of his academic pursuit as he was responsible for his education.
“I used to do menial jobs to see myself through school, especially during vacation. Sometimes I do night guard in some establishments around.
“My parents are both not too strong and hence I took up the challenge to do something for myself, so that at the end, I will be able to take care of my siblings and my parents too.
“Even before now, it has not been easy. With the current increase, what do I do, where do I start from, who do I run to. Should I just allow all I have been able to achieve getting to this level go down the drain?. I may not be able to stand this,” he said.
A prospective student, who gave her name simply as Mercy, said her parents were already having a second thought concerning her joining the institution, following the increase in fees.
According to her, the situation has thrown the family into confusion, as it is becoming increasingly clear that her parents may not be able to meet up with such demands, considering the current economic realities in the country.
Mercy, who had been given placement in the institution to study Pharmacy, noted that she may lose the opportunity and opt for skills acquisition.
“My parents had supported me to this stage and were positive about seeing me through the university, even from their meagre resources but with this current hike in fees, it is clear that my dreams for academic progression may no longer materialise,” she said.
Another student who also pleaded anonymity appealed to the Federal Government to reconsider the fees, as the development could have unintended consequences.
The final year student of Accounting urged government to plough back recovered government funds into the education sector, to bring relief to parents, especially in the face of the ripple effect of the subsidy removal.

Continue Reading

News

RIVPOLY Warms Staff Against Sexual Harassment, Sorting, Other Vices

Published

on

The Management of Kenule Beeson Saro Wiwa Polytechnic (KENPLOY) has threatened to discipline any staff who prioritises harassment of female students in the campus.
The Polytechnic also said it would discipline any staff who is involved in sorting and other related vices in the institution.
The Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Ledum S. Gwarah gave the warning at a one-day workshop for administrative, non-teaching staff of the Polytechnic, in Bori, yesterday.
Gwarah said, “Management would not condone acts inimical to the successful realisation of our target goals as discipline measures will be taken against staff who prioritise harassment of female students, sorting and related vices among others.”
The Rector said further that his administration would defend all staff who are unjustly treated by their superiors and ensure that justice and fair play supersede all primordial interest.
He charged the staff of the Polytechnic to be diligent, take their work seriously, and display responsible and credible job ethics.
Dr. Gwarah assured the readiness of the management to prioritize the welfare of all staff, saying the management is working on more practical measures to motivate workers.
He commended the staff and the newly employed for their contributions to the growth of the institution.
Earlier, the Registrar of the institution, Dr. Emmanuel Onwuka, said the workshop was conceived to reintroduce staff to the work ethics of the Polytechnic which has been ignored for some time.
According to him, the workshop is aimed at giving the entire non-teaching staff a new sense of belonging in the chemistry of administrative knowledge.
“When the right tools of instruction is given to a staff, he will enjoy job satisfaction which will inturn lead to greater productivity,” he said.
The Registrar enjoined the non-teaching staff to take their work seriously and avoid any act of indiscipline and disloyalty to constituted authority.

Chinedu Wosu

Continue Reading

News

Nigeria Partners UK, Germany, Others On Green Industrial Dev’t

Published

on

Nigeria is partnering with the United Kingdom(UK), Germany and the World Economic Forum towards the realisation of President Bola Tinubu’s plans for a green industrial development of the country.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, Wednesday in Abuja, said that the meeting with the leadership of the UK-Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNAIF) centred on enabling a private sector-led, public sector-enabled programme.
“We (also) hosted a virtual discussion with the Managing Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Center for Nature and Climate, Ms Gim Huay.
“We agreed to actionable next steps that will ensure greater collaboration with international investors and DFIs in accordance with our green industrial roadmap.
“On Wednesday evening, we hosted a fruitful session with a delegation from the German Embassy led by its Head of Climate Negotiations, Ambassador Johannes Lehne.
“Specific steps toward deepening collaboration on hydrogen and wind energy development were agreed upon with a follow-up next week,” he said.
The Tide’s source reports that in May, President Tinubu approved the establishment of a committee to oversee the Green Economic Initiative, known as the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions.
Tinubu also approved the appointment of Chief Ajuri Ngelale as Special Envoy on Climate Action and will retain his role as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity.
The committee was part of a strategic move of the President to ensure the advancement of his administration’s climate and green economic initiatives.
The committee is to coordinate and oversee all the policies and programmes on climate action and green economic development.
The UKNIAF is a technical assistance programme (2019 – 2025) that aims to transform Nigeria’s capacity to plan, finance, deliver and maintain climate-smart. critical infrastructure.
It aims to achieve transformation through technical support in two component areas: Power and Infrastructure Finance.
The key counterparts are the Federal Government of Nigeria and its agencies; selected state governments; the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in Nigeria (FCDO); the wider development and development finance institution groups.

Continue Reading

News

Nigeria To Host Africa’s $5bn Energy Bank– Minister

Published

on

Nigeria has been granted the hosting right for the African Energy Bank (AEB) after beating Ghana, Benin Republic, Algeria, South Africa and Cote D’Ivoire in a keenly contested bidding.
Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil), told newsmen in Abuja yesterday, that the award of hosting right for the bank highlighted Nigeria’s robust energy sector.
He said “the award of the hosting right also highlights the country ‘s strategic vision for Africa’s energy future.”
Lokpobiri expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the support extended during the course of the bidding.
He also thanked the Council of Ministers of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) for the confidence in Nigeria’s capability.
The minister highlighted the collaborative spirit of the APPO members and their shared vision for a united, energy-secured Africa.
He emphasised that “this decision reflects our collective ambition to create African solutions to Africa’s energy challenges.
“The African Energy Bank will be instrumental to providing the necessary financial backbone for energy projects that will drive growth and development across the continent.
“The decision is a significant step for the continent’s energy sector and underscores Nigeria’s pivotal role in Africa’s energy landscape.”
The minister assured Nigerians and Africans at large that the establishment of the African Energy Bank would mark a transformative era in meeting energy needs.
He said that the initiative aligned with the broader objectives of African Union’s Agenda 2063, aiming for a prosperous and self-sustaining Africa.
“We are committed to ensuring that the bank did not only move Nigeria forward, but becomes a beacon of progress for the entire continent.
“Our goal is to foster sustainable energy solutions that are both innovative and inclusive.”
The Tide’s source reports that the bank is expected to facilitate access to funding for energy projects, thereby catalysing economic growth and enhancing energy security.

Continue Reading

Trending