Editorial
ASUU Boss Advocates Sustenance Of Part Time Programme
The Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt Chapter, Dr Felix Igwe, has advocated for the sustenance of the part time programme run by universities in the country.
Dr Igwe, who made the call in a telephone interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt last Saturday, however, insisted that the part time programme should be effectively monitored and managed in order to produce the needed result.
His reaction is coming barely four days after the Lagos State government announced the scrapping of all part time programme, and satellite campuses run by the state-owned university with effect from the next academic session.
The ASUU boss described the issue of scrapping all part time programmes as daisy because the programme is intended to address certain purposes in the education sector.
Dr Igwe also acknowledged that certain courses such as Engineering and Medicine cannot be effectively managed in part time programme because of the peculiar way they are trained, adding that any decision to scrape all part time programme is logically wrong.
He, therefore, called for caution on the part of state governments and authorities of universities in handling the issue of part time programme run by the universities in the country.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has announced the scrapping of all part time programmes run by the state-owned university (LASU) in a bid to reposition it for academic excellence.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga, explained that the decision to cancel the part time programme of the school and scrapping of satellite campuses run by LASU across the state was based on the recommendation and decision of the governing council.
According to the statement, Governor Babatunde Fashola directed that the current admission exercise for the year 2010/2011 academic session should be the last as far as part time programme in the school was concerned, adding that all stakeholders, operators of the system, the students and the public should be well informed of the new directives.
The statement further revealed that the decision was arrived at after the due consideration of the report of a visitation panel set up by the governor to look into the academic and administrative activities of the school in the last 10 years and take critical look into most of the activities in the school aimed at finding a lasting solution to the incessant crisis in LASU.
It would be recalled that as a result of a prolonged academic crisis in the school, the National Universities Commission (NUC) withdrew the accreditation of nine courses being run by the institution.
The Tide gathered that the cancellation of the Lagos State University’s part time programmes and abolition of the school of part time studies by the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, was a way of streamlining its focus to enable the school get through with accreditation of many of its courses that were withdrawn by NUC.
The State Government, according to our source, is prepared to bring the school back to a high standard of academic excellence and to fulfill the academic needs of the youths.
Our finding also revealed that there are over 20, 000 students running part time programme across LASU Satellite campuses in Lagos.
Isaac Nwankwo
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Addressing Unruly Behaviours At The Airports

It began as a seemingly minor in- flight disagreement. Comfort Emmason, a passenger on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos, reportedly failed to switch off her mobile phone when instructed by the cabin crew. What should have been a routine enforcement of safety regulations spiralled into a physical confrontation, sparking a national debate on the limits of airline authority and the rights of passengers.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) wasted no time in condemning the treatment meted out to Emmason. In a strongly worded statement, the body described the incident as “a flagrant violation of her fundamental human rights” and called for a thorough investigation into the conduct of the airline staff. The NBA stressed that while passengers must adhere to safety rules, such compliance should never be extracted through intimidation, violence, or humiliation.
Following the altercation, Emmason found herself arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court and remanded at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, a location more commonly associated with hardened criminals than with errant passengers. In a surprising turn of events, the Federal Government later dropped all charges against her, citing “overriding public interest” and concerns about due process.
Compounding her woes, Ibom Air initially imposed a lifetime ban preventing her from boarding its aircraft. That ban has now been lifted, following mounting public pressure and calls from rights groups for a more measured approach. The reversal has been welcomed by many as a step towards restoring fairness and proportionality in handling such disputes.
While her refusal to comply with crew instructions was undeniably inappropriate, questions linger about whether the punishment fit the offence. Was the swift escalation from verbal reminder to physical ejection a proportionate response, or an abuse of authority? The incident has reignited debate over how airlines balance safety enforcement with respect for passenger rights.
The Tide unequivocally condemns the brutal and degrading treatment the young Nigerian woman received from the airline’s staff. No regulation, however vital, justifies the use of physical force or the public shaming of a passenger. Such behaviour is antithetical to the principles of customer service, human dignity, and the rule of law.
Emmason’s own defiance warrants reproach. Cabin crew instructions, especially during boarding or take-off preparations, are not mere suggestions; they are safety mandates. Reports suggest she may have been unable to comply because of a malfunctioning power button on her device, but even so, she could have communicated this clearly to the crew. Rules exist to safeguard everyone on board, and passengers must treat them with due seriousness.
Nigerians, whether flying domestically or abroad, would do well to internalise the importance of orderliness in public spaces. Adherence to instructions, patience in queues, and courteous engagement with officials are hallmarks of civilised society. Disregard for these norms not only undermines safety but also projects a damaging image of the nation to the wider world.
The Emmason affair is not an isolated case. Former Edo State Governor and current Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, once found himself grounded after arriving late for an Air Peace flight. Witnesses alleged that he assaulted airline staff and ordered the closure of the terminal’s main entrance. This is hardly the conduct expected of a statesman.
More recently, a Nollywood-worthy episode unfolded at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, involving Fuji icon “King”, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM1. In a viral video, he was seen exchanging heated words with officials after being prevented from boarding an aircraft.
Events took a dangerous turn when the aircraft, moving at near take-off speed, nearly clipped the 68-year-old musician’s head with its wing. Such an occurrence points to a serious breach of airport safety protocols, raising uncomfortable questions about operational discipline at Nigeria’s gateways.
According to accounts circulating online, Wasiu had attempted to board an aircraft while he was carrying an alcoholic drink and refused to relinquish it when challenged. His refusal led to de-boarding, after which the Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, imposed a six-month “no-fly” ban, citing “unacceptable” conduct.
It is deeply concerning that individuals of such prominence, including Emmason’s pilot adversary, whose careers have exposed them to some of the most disciplined aviation environments in the world, should exhibit conduct that diminishes the nation’s reputation. True leadership, whether in politics, culture, or professional life, calls for restraint and decorum, all the more when exercised under public scrutiny.
Most egregiously, in Emmason’s case, reports that she was forcibly stripped in public and filmed for online circulation are deeply disturbing. This was an act of humiliation and a gross invasion of privacy, violating her right to dignity and falling short of the standards expected in modern aviation. No person, regardless of the circumstances, should be subjected to such degrading treatment.
Ibom Air must ensure its staff are trained to treat passengers with proper decorum at all times. If Emmason had broken the law, security personnel could have been called in to handle the matter lawfully. Instead, her ordeal turned into a public spectacle. Those responsible for assaulting her should face prosecution, and the airline should be compelled to compensate her. Emmason, for her part, should pursue legal redress to reinforce the principle that justice and civility must prevail in Nigeria’s skies.
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