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Reps Move To Abolish Payment of Acceptance Fees In Tertiary Institutions

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The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to “immediately” abolish the payment of acceptance fees into Tertiary Institutions in the country.

This followed a unanimous adoption of a motion moved by Rep. Chinedu Martins (PDP-Imo) during the plenary presided over by the Speaker of the house, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Wednesday.

The motion is titled: “Call for Abolishment of Acceptance Fees into Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria”.

Moving the motion, Martins said that recent data from the National Universities Commission showed that only about two million people were enrolled in the universities nationwide out of a population of over 180 million.

He said that the estimates represented one percent of the population which was an indication of the low attendance in tertiary institutions compared to other advanced countries.

The lawmaker also said additional data from the National Bureau of Statistics and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board showed that out of the 10 million applicants that sought admissions into tertiary institutions, only 26 percent gained admissions between 2010 and 2015.

He said it was an indication that about 75 percent of the applicants failed to gain admissions every year and also reinforced that access to tertiary education in the country was low.

“The house is concerned that one of the factors contributing to poor access to tertiary education is the predatory admission policies being enforced by tertiary institutions, particularly the requirement for payment of non-refundable acceptance fees as a condition precedent for admissions.

“The house is also concerned that many federally-operated tertiary institutions charge as much as N30, 000 per student, while some states and private institutions charge significantly more, as evidenced in the following:

“University of Ibadan, N35,000; University of Lagos, N20,000; Ahmadu Bello University, N30,000; Imo State University, N70,000; and Lagos State University, N20,000.

“The house is further concerned that applicants are expected to pay the acceptance fees within a short deadline despite having gone through the tortuous process of paying and sitting for the Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE), the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) and making the cut-off mark.

“If they are unable to meet the deadline, the applicants are surcharged for late payment with the risk of losing the offer of admissions.”

The lawmakers also said that the aspirations of prospective students would be cut short if the “exploitative admission practices of tertiary institutions in the country are left unchecked”.

The reps directed the House Committee on Tertiary Education and Services to investigate the admission policies and practices of tertiary institutions in the country.

The investigation would relate to the charge of acceptance fees and would also be in order to remove all obstacles to accessing tertiary education in the country, reports the News Agency of Nigeria

 

 

(NAN).

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May 29: President Tinubu Begins Nationwide Project Inauguration To Commemorate His Admin’s First Anniversary

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Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Saturday, departed Abuja for Lagos to begin the commissioning of projects completed under his administration.

The president’s first stop this week is Lagos, as he will be visiting various parts of the nation from Sunday (tomorrow) through Friday to commission other projects.

This is to commemorate Wednesday, May 29, the first anniversary of his administration.

A State House press statement titled, “President Tinubu Set To Inaugurate Projects To Mark One Year In Office,” and signed by the Special Adviser Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga revealed this.

“In Lagos on Sunday, the President will inaugurate the concrete-paved road to the nation’s major ports in Apapa and Tin Can Island. The reconstructed road which began under the Muhammadu Buhari Administration was financed by the Dangote Group, using its tax credits.

“On the same day, President Tinubu will formally inaugurate, by virtual means, the refurbished Third Mainland Bridge, which has drawn public acclaim for its excellent finishing and aesthetic furnishing.

“He will also commission, virtually, the rehabilitation of 330 roads and bridges across the country.

“The high point of the President’s engagements on Sunday will be the inauguration of the iconic Lagos-Calabar Superhighway, estimated to cost about N15 trillion,” it read.

The statement also stated that work has begun on the legacy project that will connect nine coastal states, with Section Two already awarded to Hitech Construction Limited.

It further noted that Tinubu will return to Abuja on Tuesday to continue the commissioning spree.

“President Tinubu will return to Abuja on Tuesday to begin another round of commissioning. He will first inaugurate the Southern Parkway, which the Nyesom Wike-led FCT Administration named after him.

“On Wednesday, the President will attend the National Assembly Dialogue Series, after which he will unveil the National Assembly Library Complex, named after him,” it added.

Commissioning of the Abuja Metro (Abuja Light Rail) project will also take place on the same day.

“President Tinubu will leave the National Assembly to relaunch the commercialisation of Abuja Light Rail, also known as Abuja Metro. He will symbolically join a train ride to the city centre.

“The Abuja Metro was completed in 2018 by the Buhari Administration. It was put into commercial use up till 2020. But with the onset of COVID-19, the train service was abandoned. Vandals descended on the facility, putting it out of use.

“FCT Minister Wike, after spending $15 million and building access roads to the various stations, has refurbished it for commercial service.

“After the train ride, President Tinubu will also inaugurate the Wuye Flyover-Link Bridge and the Defence Intelligence Agency Headquarters,” the statement read.

The last item will be the commissioning of a gas centre in Utako.

“On Friday, May 31, President Tinubu will commission the NASENI-Portland Compressed Natural Gas(CNG) Reverse Engineering Centre at Utako,” it concluded.

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JUST IN: President Tinubu Arrives Lagos For Flag-Off Of Lagos-Calabar Highway

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Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has arrived in Lagos State ahead of the highly anticipated flag-off of the Lagos-Calabar highway construction project.

He was received by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other top government officials at the Murtala Muhammed Airport.

According to Dave Imani, the Minister of Works, the president is scheduled to officially launch the road’s construction on May 26.

Also, President Tinubu is expected to inaugurate several other projects in the state, marking a significant milestone ahead of his first anniversary in office.

 

More to come…

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Deposed Emir Of Kano Bayero Breaks Silence, Says Justice Will Prevail

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Aminu Ado Bayero, the deposed Emir of Kano, has broken his silence following his dethronement as the 15th Emir of Kano State.

Bayero stated that justice would prevail while urging residents to maintain law and order.

He made this known on Saturday in his native language at the mini-palace where he has been since returning to the state after dethronement.

He, however, pledged to follow whatever the law states, saying that Kano is too important to Nigeria.

“I call on the people to remain law-abiding while awaiting the outcome of the legal process in this tussle.

“We call on the authority to do justice in this matter. Kano is a very influential state in Nigeria. Whatever affects Kano affects Nigeria. May peace reign in Kano. We pray for Allah to bless Kano with responsible and just leaders.

“Justice is the way to go on every issue. There will be justice. Nobody is above the law. We will accept whatever the law says. I appreciate all the people who have shown concern. As I said, justice will take its course. We will keep on praying for peace in Kano State. May Allah the Almighty protect us,” he said.

The deposed monarch arrived in the ancient city in the early hours of Saturday.

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