News & Announcements

Fees for undergraduate students at the University of Lagos in Akoka, Lagos State, are reportedly higher now.

This was said in a statement released by the UNILAG section of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities on July 20, 2023, following a meeting with senior management.

According to the union’s statement, the VC said that undergraduate students at UNILAG would have higher costs.

Remember that the institution’s students used to pay N19,000, but the management has set new tuition at N190,250 for students studying medicine, and N140,250 for courses requiring lab and studio work.

The VC, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, met with representatives of the three non-academic staff unions on July 20 to discuss matters pertaining to members’ welfare, according to SSANU.

“During the meeting, the proposed fees for undergraduate students of UNILAG were disclosed.

“Students without lab and studio use will pay N100,750, those with lab use will pay N140,250 and the college of medicine would pay N190,250,” the statement said.

Rasaki Yusuf, a representative of the SSANU, requested a rebate for faculty members who have children enrolled in the university, but the vice chancellor emphasized that the new fees were set globally and could not be altered for certain groups of students.

Ogunsola offered the staff the option of paying in installments, but with the requirement that they complete payment one month before to the end-of-the-year tests.

Alagba Ibraheem, the institution’s public relations officer, was not reachable for comment; neither were calls placed via her returned, nor were texts returned.

The former President of the Nigerian Association of Nephrologists, Dr. Ebun Ladipo Bamgboye, has raised the alarm that one out of seven Nigerians is down with chronic kidney disease.

Bamgboye has consequently argued in favor of a deceased donor program to help people with chronic kidney disease in the nation.

At a talk on “The Evolution of Kidney Transplantation in Nigeria and the Legacy of Emeritus Professor Oladipo Akinkugbe” at the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, the Clinical Director of St. Nicholas Hospital made this statement.

He claimed that the majority of people who need dialysis do not receive it, and he argued that starting a dead donor program is an essential step in saving the lives of people in the nation who have chronic kidney disorders.

Bamgboye brought attention to the everyday loss of several organs, which might be utilised to the benefit of those who depend on hemodialysis.

According to the famous nephrologists, a large proportion of people in the nation suffer from chronic renal disease, necessitating long-term dialysis or kidney transplantation to maintain their quality of life.

He said that “This, I believe, would have been the dream of Emeritus Professor Oladipo Akinkugbe and what he would have wished was achieved in his lifetime.

” The onus is now on us, his mentees, to ensure that this happens within the shortest possible time. I am sure he will then look down on us from the great divide with satisfaction that we have carried on his dream successfully.

“Chronic kidney disease is very common in our country. Over 15 percent of people have chronic kidney disease.

“That is, for every seven people, one has kidney failure. And it is estimated that over 100 people per million people every year require kidney transplantation.

“Ideally, 22,000 people should be on dialysis, and the total number of people on dialysis is less than 5,000.

“90 percent of people who require dialysis and don’t get it will be dead within two weeks.” So it is not surprising that so many people are dying from kidney failure.

“Kidney failure is an expensive thing to deal with. Even America spends over $40 billion. So we have to focus on prevention.

” We need to detect early and screen our population, like schoolchildren, pregnant women, and undergraduates. Let’s detect early.

‘”The average transplant will cost nothing less than N20 million in two years. If 20,000 people develop kidney failure every year and require a transplant, you can multiply 20,000 by N20 million, which will give you the sort of figures we are looking at. You know the country can’t afford that.”

Speaking during the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIMED, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi, said: “In emeritus Akinkugbe, this university, our nation, and the medical world globally found not only a brilliant mind but also a man of solid character, unassailable integrity, professional diligence, and outstanding performance—a man who truly deserves to be honoured at all times.

Prof Fatusi said that ” I am proud that our University, the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Nigeria’s first specialised university of medical and health sciences, made it a point of duty to initiate this series to honour this medical colossus while he was yet alive and followed through faithfully in annually organising this event despite the demise of emeritus Prof. Akinkugbe a few months before the first edition of the annual event took place in July 2021.”

Miss Chinyere Awuda, was fatally battered inside a well-known hotel in Awka, Anambra State (name withheld).

According to reports, the event took place on Saturday while a birthday boy was dancing at a hotel birthday celebration and his pals were throwing money at him.

The following morning, the body of the deceased, who was reportedly from Nnobi in the Idemmili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, was discovered in the hotel’s swimming pool, where she had allegedly been discarded.

The dead was allegedly accused of scooping up some money that was being sprayed on the birthday celebration, according to sources at the site of the incident.

The source said, “The girl was at the club when trouble broke out, and a man and his friends started beating her after she was accused of picking money they were spraying on their friend who was celebrating his birthday.

“They accused her of picking money which they were spraying on their friend while some said she did not only pick money from the floor but went for bundles of money, which one of them stacked by his seat side, waiting to spray on the celebrant.

“The girl was beaten when they caught her but despite efforts made by other people in the hotel to rescue the girl, they continued to beat and molest her.

“She was later dragged outside the club, and her lifeless body dumped into the hotel’s swimming pool.”

When reached, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, a spokesman for the Anambra State Police, verified the event and stated that the birthday celebrant and his pals were already in detention while the case was being probed.

Ikenga said, “Four suspects are in our custody in connection with the incident, the hotel management assisted the police in arresting the suspects and investigation is still ongoing. Further details shall be communicated please.”

On Thursday, protesters in favor of the gasoline removal generate some little commotion at the Mopol gate, the primary entry to the National Assembly.

The demonstrators stated that they went on the streets to support President Bola Tinubu in his stand against the elimination of fuel subsidies.

The removal of the ‘canker worm’ that has eaten deeply into the economy, in the opinion of the demonstrators, was a wise move by the president.

The current 2023 budget that the President hinted at does not include a fuel subsidy scheme, as he stated in his inaugural address on May 29.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited and other oil marketers increased the price of gasoline on Tuesday from approximately N537 per liter to N617–N630 per liter.

Concerns have been expressed about this development across the nation so far.

Sunday Attah, the convener of Stand Up Nigeria, responded to the petrol price increase by saying that the Tinubu-led administration had made the right decision and should be supported in achieving democracy’s benefits.

He said, “The announcement on the 29th May 2023, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that the subsidy on fuel has been removed has come with mixed feelings.

“While some have hailed it as apt and timely others have expressed reservation that it may cause further hardship on the citizenry.

“You will recall that the President anchored the policy on the fact that there was no provision for subsidy payment in the 2023 budget hence cannot be sustained.”

Attah added, “Apart from that, the country was bleeding seriously through many leakages occasioned by corruption in high places chiefly among which are the claims on subsidy payments to many firms.

“After observing the initial reaction to the measure and the attendant panic buying and other impacts on the socio-economic life of Nigerians, we wish to state that the President has done the right thing by removing the subsidy as the advantages of doing so outweigh the disadvantages.

“We have observed that the initial hiccups of long queues at the fuel stations have disappeared while access to petroleum products has become easier and guaranteed as people can now drive into filling stations and refill their tanks without wasting unnecessary man hours on queues.”

Attah cited the fact that the issue of gasoline scarcity and the difficulty it caused citizens as justification for eliminating the subsidy. As a result, individuals may now use their time for other beneficial activities.

The Pro-Tinubu protest convener added, “The opposition and those elements opposed to the measure should know that election is over and all hands must be on deck to support the government to do what is right and in the interest of the people of the country.

“Past administrations have attempted to remove fuel subsidies but have not been successful due to opposition on the wrong belief that the implication of subsidy removal is just the increase in the price of fuel.

“There was also the suspicion that the proceeds made from the removal will be embezzled and the gains will not get to the intended beneficiaries.”

Attah added, “But President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown that he has the integrity to use the funds for the development of the country and has announced a number of palliatives to cushion the effects of the increase in the price of fuel.

“We believe other measures would follow that will make Nigerians willing to see the increase in the price of petroleum products as a necessary sacrifice for growing the economy.”

“By the time the monies freed from subsidy removal are appropriated and plowed back into the economy and all sectors begin to witness quantum growth, Nigerians would begin to see the positive effects of subsidy removal,” he said.

On Wednesday in Abuja, the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, advised female parliamentarians in the 10th National Assembly to cooperate and remain teachable as they carry out their responsibilities over the coming four years.

“As a former lawmaker, I advise you to please work together, irrespective of party affiliation, because the success of the nation depends on this…my advice is that, be teachable. Stay that way. Learn new things. Try it. You can’t say you are all-knowing,” Mrs. Tinubu said when she received female Senators and Members of the House of Representatives at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Special Adviser to the First Lady, Busola Kukoyi, disclosed this in a statement she signed on Wednesday titled, ‘The First Lady Oluremi Tinubu encourages female National Assembly members to remain committed to constituents.’

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in her remarks, said, “You are the women here at the National Assembly for the masses, and you should not take this for granted”.

“As a former Lawmaker, I advise you to please work together, irrespective of party affiliation, because the success of the nation depends on this”.

The First Lady emphasized the value of adaptation and lifelong learning in her advice to the women.

She emphasized the advantages of utilizing fresh ideas and unconventional strategies in their roles as female legislators.

Furthermore, Mrs. Tinubu advised the women not to overlook their gender when fighting for power, stating, “When men are in the position of power, they do not see gender, so you as women should not fight a man who does not see gender when fighting for power.”

She urged the women not to lose their femininity in the execution of their duties.

“The joy here is that you made it. Now you have to sustain it. Men will be men. I believe that women don’t have to be men to sustain what they have.

“God created us as women; we shouldn’t lose our feminity. And that’s what we should use to get what we want. When I give this advice, it is not to put you down but to really help.

“Men have the ego to be the leaders. I have seen colleagues of mine and how they got by, honouring men to get what they want. But when you say you want to fight, a man will match you to fight. And they don’t see gender. I am married to a politician of high…how do I describe my husband? I have seen some of it,” she explained.

She prayed for success in the court cases of the female legislators.

In her remarks, Kafilat Ogbara, a member of the Female National Assembly from Lagos’ Kosofe Federal Constituency, stated that the purpose of the visit on Wednesday was to congratulate the First Lady on the success of the 2023 general elections, which brought President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima to office.

They offered to work with the First Lady whenever necessary and pledged their support and collaboration in the nation-building process.

Three Senators and fifteen House of Representatives members made up the delegation that paid a visit to the First Lady.

The Canadian government gave the Federal Government a $9,261,920 grant on Wednesday to help scale up the COVID-19 immunization program among high-risk groups. The grant will also help Nigeria’s healthcare system grow.

The project is another illustration of Canada’s historical institutional relationship with the WHO to support Nigeria in the crucial work for preventing disease and protecting those most at risk, said Jamie Christoff, High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, in a speech at the grant’s Abuja launch.

Christoff stated that even if COVID-19 is no longer a worldwide emergency, strengthening public health systems is still crucial for a comprehensive and long-lasting recovery.

“We must intentionally link up these efforts with routine immunisation and other services. This can help, for example, to reach children who missed routine vaccinations over the pandemic. We know that ultimately, it takes a health system to turn a vaccine into vaccination.”

In addition, he stated that the initiative would include COVID-19 into the nation’s health information systems, boosting data collection and management for disease surveillance, including data that takes gender into account.

Christoff added that “Under CanGIVE, the WHO project will be implemented in seven countries, where Nigeria receives the greatest share of $9 million Canadian Dollars. Nigeria was also amongst the first countries to receive COVID-19 vaccine doses from Canada in September of 2021, and I am pleased to be able to continue Canada’s support to Nigeria with this latest project.”

Dr. Walter Mulombo, the Country Representative of the World Health Organization in Nigeria, stated in his speech that the award has arrived at the ideal time to aid in boosting vaccination rates and coverage among priority populations.

“As of now, 14 states are performing less than 50 per cent vaccination coverage of their target population, and we still have some vulnerable populations that are not sufficiently covered. Key among these subgroups is the aged 50 years and above, people with co-morbidities, health workers, people living in humanitarian and security-compromised communities, and pregnant women.

“The WHO Director General’s declaration that COVID-19 is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concerns marks a turning point in the pandemic. The declaration does not mean COVID-19 is over as a global/national health threat. Though considerable achievements have been made, we are still at risk of infection as cases are still being reported in a number of countries.

“I would like to take this opportunity, to caution all of us on the need to continue protecting ourselves by completing the primary series of COVID-19 vaccination and for those who have completed to continue with the booster dose schedule,” Mulombo said.

According to Dr. Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, since the COVID-19 vaccination program was introduced in Nigeria on March 5, 2021, more than 75% of the target population of people aged 18 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“The programme has been implemented in phases, ensuring that eligible populations are reached and no one is left behind. Nigeria was among the first countries to establish an electronic registry and integrate COVID-19 vaccination with other primary healthcare services. Our One Country, One Team, One Plan, One Budget approach reflects our commitment to integrating lessons learned during and after the pandemic into our healthcare system.

“While we have made significant progress, we still have work to do. Several states have primary series coverage below 70 per cent, and booster doses account for just over 20 per cent of vaccinations. Therefore, this grant targets states with lower performance and aims to reach high-priority populations,” he said.

On Wednesday, the Peoples Democratic Party chastised the federal government, which is currently being run by the All Progressives Congress, over the recent increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as fuel, from N534 to N617 per litre.

Debo Ologunagba, the national publicity secretary of the main opposition party, referred to the increased pricing as provocative and outrageous in a statement, saying that the recent increase made the already dire economic condition under the APC’s rule even worse.

The statement partly read, “Our party insists that the N617 per litre of fuel is excessive, unacceptable and cannot be justified under any guise. This is especially given the economic potential and prospects within our country.

“It is appalling that instead of seeking ways to stabilise and grow the economy, the APC administration has abandoned the welfare of Nigerians which is the primary purpose of government under Section 14 (2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and left the citizens to the vagaries of market forces and exploitative cabal; a disposition that is characteristic of a government that is not accountable to the people.

“The PDP is alarmed that with its ill-thought out, badly planned and hurriedly-executed policies, the APC is running Nigeria’s economy aground with the value of naira rapidly plummeting, businesses and production shutting down; citizens losing their means of livelihood, commercial and social activities crippled, with millions of families no longer able to afford their daily needs as the costs of food, medication and other essential goods and services continue to skyrocket.”

The statement claims that APC’s insensitivity, roiling corruption, scandalous ignorance, and inability to successfully stabilize and manage the country’s economy are to blame for the grave scenario that exists today.

“Indeed, this is not the nation that Nigerians yearned for after the abysmal, harrowing and inhuman eight years of the Buhari-led APC administration as the situation has currently gone from a frightening bad to a terrifying worse with no hope in sight,” the statement said.

Faulting the governing party’s justification of the recent hike in PMS price, the PDP stressed that the “lame argument of market forces and comparison of the price of fuel in Nigeria with those of other countries which have functional infrastructure, variety of affordable alternative transportation system and sources of energy; strong currency and where citizens earn far higher than what obtains in Nigeria,” makes the new price regime indefensible.

According to the party, “Even with the removal of subsidy on petroleum products, with a deft, transparent and innovative management of resources, economic potentials, national comparative advantage and expanded value chain in refining capacity, fuel should not sell for more than N150 per litre in Nigeria.”

Following recent humiliation brought on by conflicts brought on by months of backlash, business failures, and divergent lifestyles, Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, are claimed to have decided to go through with a trial separation.

According to a source cited by thenews.com.pk, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are not together because “he (Harry) needs to go find himself.” They might have to try a trial separation if they want to settle their problems and move on better than ever.

According to the news outlet, a source who talked to the National Enquirer stated the couple’s “marriage and public image have been adversely impacted by nasty fights with his family and the ongoing feud with their family.” This is in reference to the couple’s trial separation.

According to the source, the pair was allegedly “under enormous financial strain to support their extravagant California lifestyle. Their mental problems and the stress they experienced together probably made life a living hell and led to their breakup.

Thenews.com.pk stated that Meghan had apparently been living in their Montecito mansion with the kids while Harry was reportedly leaving for Africa to shoot a Netflix documentary.

According to an insider, Meghan is looking to revamp her image and re-enter the Hollywood scene so she can “establish her own brand and make millions without her husband!” claimed royal expert Daniela Elser, according to thenews.com.pk. Meanwhile, Harry, the younger son of King Charles III, is reportedly trying to rejuvenate himself abroad.

According to a different claim by the Times of India, which referenced one by Radar Online, Harry and his wife got married in May 2018 and moved to the US when Meghan received harsh criticism from the British press in the UK.

The couple moved to Montecito, California, with their two children in order to start a new life, but the Times of India claims that their marriage has crumbled and they are now living separately.

The Radar Online also reported that the power couple are “trying to figure out what hit them,” an insider claimed. “Harry doesn’t fit in Meghan’s tacky Tinseltown world,” they added, saying he needs to “find himself.”

In order to stop Point of Sale agents from raising transaction fees across the nation, the Federal Government will issue an order through the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

This was revealed exclusively to Newsmen on Wednesday by Babatunde Irukera, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

He said the order would come out in a couple of hours.

He stated that it is now prepared for stricter enforcement after its first advisory to the Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria was disregarded.

He said, “What we did initially was to issue an advisory, which is part of the process — engagement. After which we would employ other tools of engagement. Other tools of enforcement involve issuing an order. If you hold on a little, you will see it. What we did initially was not an order, but very soon an order is coming.

“It will get to you in a matter of hours. An order is forthcoming and will be directed specifically at the association and the agents. Now, when there is a subsisting order, the violation of the order is what would precipitate enforcement.”

The FCCPC stated earlier in July that it was looking into attempts at price fixing by Point of Sales agents and would punish them if found guilty. It requested that AMMBAN stop attempting to fix PoS prices.

The Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria, which represents PoS agents, recently announced increases in the cost of their transaction fees. Despite receiving bribes from a number of parties, AMMBAN started implementing its revised pricing on July 17, 2023.

On Tuesday, the House of Representatives decided to create an ad hoc committee to request information from the Federal Character Commission regarding appointments made by federal ministries, departments, and agencies between 2015 and 2023, which includes the term of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The resolution was made following the adoption of a motion titled, “Need to compel the Federal Character Commission to diligently discharge its constitutional and statutory mandate and responsibility,” moved by Paul Nnamchi during Tuesday’s plenary.

Nnamchi, who represents the Isi-Uzo/Enugu East Federal Constituency, pointed out that the FCC Act was passed in 1995 and made a part of the 1999 Constitution with the main purpose of promoting, overseeing, and enforcing adherence to the principles of the equitable distribution of all political, media, and bureaucratic positions across all levels of government.

No other Constitution in Nigeria’s history, according to him, has established such a regulatory body or given it the authority to promote national integration through an impartial, fair, and transparent distribution of the nation’s resources and public office posts.

The federal lawmaker bemoaned the public perception that one segment of the country is uncheckedly dominating bureaucratic, economic, media, and political positions to the detriment of others, 28 years after the enactment aimed at national cohesion and equal opportunities, and 24 years after its constitutional entrenchment.

The federal lawmaker bemoaned the public perception that one segment of the country is uncheckedly dominating bureaucratic, economic, media, and political positions to the detriment of others, 28 years after the enactment aimed at national cohesion and equal opportunities, and 24 years after its constitutional entrenchment.

“The FCC has virtually abdicated its constitutional and statutory responsibilities and degenerated into personality clash of interest amongst its commissioners as was the case about a year ago.

“The constitutional injunction is that the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a state based on the principles of democracy and social justice, which also propagates national integration and abjure discrimination on the grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties,” he added.

He further emphasized that the National Assembly’s relevant committee, when it was formed, had the authority to compel the FCC to carry out its discharge obligations in line with the law.

The committee had four weeks to deliver its report to the House for additional legislative action.