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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).

BIG STORY

NOVA Bank Achieves Global Cybersecurity Milestone With ISO 27032 Certification

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NOVA Bank has achieved a major milestone in its commitment to safeguarding customer data and digital operations by attaining the globally recognized ISO 27032 Cybersecurity Standard certification. This significant achievement positions NOVA Bank among the elite financial institutions in Nigeria with such a distinction.

The ISO 27032 certification focuses on fortifying cybersecurity measures, ensuring robust protection for data, systems, and online transactions amid an ever-evolving cyber threat landscape. In addition to this achievement, NOVA Bank is already certified in ISO 27001 for Information Security Management and BCMS 22301 for Business Continuity Management, further underscoring its dedication to operational excellence and security.

Speaking on the achievement, Acting Managing Director and CEO of NOVA Bank, Mrs. Chinwe Iloghalu, described the certification as a pivotal moment for the Bank and its customers.

“This certification underscores NOVA Bank’s unwavering dedication to maintaining the highest global standards in cybersecurity. As we continue to innovate with customer-centric retail products, cybersecurity remains at the heart of our operations. Our customers can rest assured that their data and transactions are protected by some of the most advanced security frameworks in the industry. Trust is built on security, and NOVA is committed to providing a secure, reliable, and innovative banking experience,” Mrs Iloghalu stated. The Bank’s Executive Director for Operations and Information Technology, Dr. David Isavwe, who also serves as the President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Information Security Society of Africa, Nigeria (ISSAN), emphasized the broader implications of the certification.

“The ISO 27032 certification highlights NOVA Bank’s proactive approach to addressing cybersecurity challenges. It demonstrates our readiness to protect against evolving threats and our ability to adapt to the dynamic landscape of digital banking. This certification reinforces our commitment to delivering secure and uninterrupted services to our valued customers,” Dr. Isavwe remarked.

This milestone aligns with NOVA Bank’s overarching strategy of integrating cutting-edge technology with its trademarked Phygital model—seamlessly blending physical and digital banking experiences, while maintaining an unwavering focus on customer trust and satisfaction.

As the bank prepares to launch a series of innovative retail banking products, this certification highlights its dedication to prioritizing cybersecurity, ensuring a secure and seamless banking experience for all its customers.

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JUST IN: Customs Hands Over 21 Stolen Vehicles To Canadian Government

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The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has transferred 21 stolen “Sport Utility Vehicles” (SUVs) and other assorted vehicles to the Canadian Government, following their recovery from various locations across the country.

 

More to come…

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Former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello Now In Our Custody — EFCC

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed that former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, has been detained in the agency’s custody for allegedly misappropriating over N110 billion in public funds.

The EFCC stated that the former governor appeared at its headquarters after months of ignoring invitations and avoiding court summons related to fraud connected to his administration.

EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, on Tuesday said that Bello had been detained and would be questioned about the allegations against him.

According to reports, Bello responded to the EFCC’s invitation on Tuesday, arriving at the EFCC office with his lawyers, but without his successor, Governor Usman Ododo, who had reportedly been shielding him from arrest.

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