Education

Abuse Of Democratic Process

Published

13 years ago

July 15, 2013

Precisely, on June 3, 2013 I wrote on the Nigerian Governors Forum’s election which is widely believed to have been won by the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. Governor Amaechi polled 19 votes to beat his challenger, Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State who had 16 votes.
But shortly after the result of the election was made public by the Director-General of the NGF, Mr Aishana Okauru, the pro-PDP group led by Governor Godswill Akpabio declared Governor Jang as the new chairman of the NGF.
Governor Akpabio even denied that he voted in the election that returned Governor Amaechi as the authentic chairman of the NGF. But the truth was unveiled when the video-recording of the election was shown on television. Indeed, Nigerians were really stunned and stupefied by moral bankruptcy exhibited by the so-called leaders that had been entrusted with the destiny of this great nation. Infact, they made a mockery of democracy and abused the scholarship of educated Nigerians as 16 votes were considered to be higher than 19. In a democracy majority carry the day and not vice versa.
While many Nigerians have spoken and written extensively on the danger of this new electoral formula propounded by Jang and the gang the presidency appears to be thinking differently as the Jang group is obviously favoured and treated with dignity. Although the presidency has severally denied involvement in the power tussle that has polarized the NGF, its actions speak volumes.
Since his re-election as the chairman of the NGF, Governor Amaechi has been subjected to one form of torture or the other. First, he was suspended by the National Working Committee of the PDP for a flimsy reason of disregarding the directive of the party leadership in the Rivers State to recall elected officers of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council who were suspended by the State Assembly for alleged fraud.
Secondly, security personnel attached to government functionaries in Rivers State were withdrawn by the Police Commissioner who has shown disrespect to the person of the governor by his words and actions. The Police Commissioner in one of his press briefings in Port Harcourt described the State Governor as a tyrant and dictator. This is unacceptable in an organised society. The Governor of Rivers State is the Chief Security Officer of the State. Therefore, his primary responsibility as clearly stated in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is to protect the lives and property of the residents of the State. It is for this reason that Governor Amaechi on assumption of office on October 26, 2007 declared war against the cult groups that unleashed mayhem on the state. He conquered and restored peace in the state through the support and cooperation of security agencies. Rivers people could sleep with both eyes closed.
With the political crisis rocking the State, Rivers State is gradually returning to the path of insanity and lawlessness. One can appreciate why the Governor has lost his cool with the Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu whom he has severally accused of hobnobbing and coquetting with his detractors who are bent on destabilizing the state to create room for a State of Emergency.
In spite of the growing concern both within and outside the country over Governor Amaechi’s travails his persecutors are doing everything humanly possible to unseat him against the wishes of the people and at the expense of the nation’s fledgling democracy.
Political pundits are of the view that the fracas that erupted at the State House of Assembly last Tuesday that left some of the “honorable lawmakers” with battered heads was targeted at Governor Amaechi. It is undemocratic for five members of the House who are loyal to the Minister of State for Education, Hon Nyesom Wike to declare the impeachment of the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Dan-Amachree without the support of two-third of members of the state legislature.
Observers have argued that the action of the five lawmakers was informed by the disposition of the PDP and the presidency in undermining democratic process by foisting leadership on the people. This explains why the leadership of the state chapter of the PDP hurriedly congratulated Hon. Evans Bapakye Bipi (Ogu/Bolo Constituency) whom the group of five declared as Speaker. But what the party fails to realize is that some of the undemocratic measures being employed to victimize perceived enemies of the presidency could be used by the opposition against it.
The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has already set the stage by calling for the impeachment of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
In a statement issued in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said by his abhorrence of the rule of law and majority rule, the latest indication of which is his unmistakable support for renegade lawmakers who are fomenting trouble in Rivers State, the president has become a danger to democracy and be shown the way out in accordance with the constitution.
“UnderPresident Jonathan’s watch and with his tacit support, a few lawmakers dictated to majority of members of the Ogun State House of Assembly, which was locked for a long time.
“Under President Jonathan’s watch, the Nigerian Governors Forum was sabotaged by minions who declared a governor with 16 votes a winner over the one who scored 19 votes, in an injurious blow to the concept of democracy
“And under his watch, five lawmakers, out of 32 have become majority and simply because they have the backing of the presidency, are now given police protection to disrupt proceedings of the House . As we write Rivers State has been taken over by current and former militants who have been unleashed to destabilize the State and cause a breakdown of law and order to pave the way for the imposition of a State of Emergency.
“This cannot and must not be allowed to continue, hence our call on the National Assembly to move quickly to remove the source of the crisis. Since this is no longer an intra-party dispute and because of its potentials to set the country on fire, we called on civil society groups, professional bodies and ordinary Nigerians to rise up and defend the rule of law and the supremacy of the constitution, ACN said.
Of course, the ACN is not bluffing. The party is aware that the nation’s democracy has been bastardized to the extent that an elected officer can be impeached with the snap of the fingers. if five out of 32 members of the State House of Assembly could claim to have impeached the Speaker, it is very possible that the constitution can be violated to pave the way for the impeachment of the president with an infinitesimal number of lawmakers.
However, Nigerians have condemned the legislative rascality exhibited by the lawmakers under the watchful eyes of the Nigeria Police.
While the National Assembly has taken decisive steps to check the escalation of the political crisis in Rivers State the federal government must be told not to play politics with security of lives and property of the people of the state.
Finally, Nigeria is greater than any individual or a group of persons. Our politicians must tread with caution.

Education

FG, ASUU Set Date to Sign Agreement

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Government is set to formally sign an agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities following weeks of negotiations.

The development may be linked to the 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff proposed by the FG last month and accepted by the union.

A circular issued by the Ministry of Education invited Vice-Chancellors and Registrars of federal universities to witness the signing ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Conference Hall, Abuja.

The circular, dated January 5, 2026, and referenced FME/IS/UNI/ASUU/C.11/Vol.V/82, was signed by the Director of University Education, Rakiya Ilyasu, on behalf of the Minister of Education.

It was titled ‘Invitation to the Ceremony for the Signing of Agreement Between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities.’

The circular was sighted by our correspondent on Saturday and confirmed by the Ministry’s Director, Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade.

“This signing represents a critical milestone in promoting industrial harmony and improving teaching and learning in our universities.

“It also reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to the sustainable development of education in line with the Renewed

Attendance at the ceremony was declared mandatory for all invited university administrators, highlighting the importance attached to the agreement and its implementation.

Last month, the industrial crisis that had burdened Nigeria’s university system for 16 years following the 2009 Federal Government–ASUU Agreement saw the union accept the Federal Government’s proposed 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff.

It was reported that the deal, effective from January 1, 2026, would be reviewed after three years

Why FG Shouldn’t Be Blamed for Non-Implementation of Council Autonomy

Under the new terms, professors will earn a pension equivalent to their final annual salary upon retirement at age 70. The agreement also provides for the establishment of a National Research Council to fund research with at least one per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.

Other provisions include improved funding for libraries, laboratories, equipment and staff development, greater university autonomy, and the election of academic leaders, with only professors eligible to serve as deans and provosts. The pact also guarantees that no staff member involved in past industrial actions will be victimised.

Education

DSS, Rector Warn Kogi Poly Students Against Vices,Rumours

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Kogi State Directorate of the Department of State Services (DSS) has warned fresh students of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, that security on campus is a shared responsibility, stressing that carelessness, poor judgment and rumour-mongering pose and ostentatious living pose greater dangers than most real threats.

The Director of the Department in the state, gave the warning in his speech, titled,”MANAGING SECURITY AND RUMORS ON CAMPUS at the 33rd Matriculation Ceremony for the students of 2025/2026 academic session of the Polytechnic on Thursday in Lokoja.

The director, represented by A. S. MUSA, emphasised that while Lokoja remains largely peaceful, no campus is immune from security challenges.

He identified theft of phones, laptops and wallets, infiltration of hostels by unauthorised persons, risky late-night movements and online scams targeting fresh students as recurring threats, most of which, he noted, are preventable through vigilance and discipline.

The security agency cautioned students against behaviours that weaken personal safety, including lack of security consciousness, predictable routines, drug abuse, drunkenness, sexual recklessness, ostentatious living and the lure of secret cults.

According to the DSS director,cultism, often disguised as “protection,” ultimately places students under violent control systems with devastating consequences, while flamboyant lifestyles and careless displays of wealth attract criminal attention.

Our correspondent reports that a major focus of the lecture was the danger of rumours, which the DSS described as “more destructive than real threats.”

According to him,false alerts about kidnappers, armed attacks, school closures or emergency evacuations,often spread through WhatsApp messages and voice notes,have previously triggered panic, stampedes and academic disruption on campuses, sometimes putting lives at risk without any verified danger.School supplies

He, therefore, advised to verify information strictly through official Polytechnic channels such as management announcements, Student Affairs notices and campus security units. The DSS boss warned that forwarding unconfirmed messages makes students unwitting accomplices in spreading fear and destabilising the academic environment.

On personal safety, he also urged students to always carry their identity cards, avoid lonely and poorly lit areas at night, secure their hostel rooms, challenge suspicious strangers and promptly report unusual activities.

He cautioned students to remain calm, obedient to lawful instructions and refuse to act on hearsay, adding that these virtues are critical responses during emergencies.

The DSS director reminded the matriculating students that security goes beyond physical safety to include protection of reputation, mental stability and future prospects.

By rejecting rumours, cultism and reckless living, and by embracing responsibility and alertness, students can be rest assured that Kogi State Polytechnic can remain a safe, peaceful and conducive centre of learning for all.

Declaring event open, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Prof.Salisu Ogba Usman, matriculated 4,591 students into seven schools and 57 academic programmes of the Polytechnic.

“Of this number,2460 students (54 percent) are admitted into National Diploma Progrmes, while 2,131 students (46 percent)are admitted into Higher National Diploma 1 programmes”,Usman said.

He further reviewed that 19 out of the 57 Programmes currently run by the polytechnic were introduced under the present administration in the state.

Prof.Usmam expressed the continued commitment of the Polytechnic to uphold discipline, transparency,and zero tolerance for all forms of social Vices ,while promoting peaceful coexistence,responsible leadership and mutual respect.

“Our emphasis on security, moral discipline and academic integrity is non-, negotiable and central to our institutional philosophy,” the Rector stressed.

He urged the new students to take full advantage of the opportunities available in the Polytechnic and to conduct themselves in ways that will bring honour to their families ,the Polytechnic and the nation at large.

Usman said the polytechnic has pursued inclusive leadership by institutionalizing transparency, strengthening staff welfare engagement,and integrating student leadership into governance processes.

According to him the gender distribution is equally encouraging, with 52 percent, male and 48 percent female, representing steady progress in the gender balance of the Polytechnic.

He promised that the “shall continue to uphold discipline, transparency and zero tolerance for all forms of social vices,while promoting peaceful coexistence,responsible leadership and mutual respect.

The Rector stressed that the emphasis of the Polytechnic on security, moral discipline and academic integrity is non-negotiable and central to its institutional philosophy.

He urged the new students to take full advantage of the opportunities available in the polytechnic and conduct themselves in ways that will bring honour to their families,the polytechnic and the nation at large.

“Together we shall continue to reposition Kogi State Polytechnic as a reference point for excellence in polytechnic education in Nigeria,” he promised.

Education

FG Bans Disposable workbooks, introduces reusable textbooks in schools

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Government has rolled out a new education policy banning disposable workbooks and mandating the use of reusable, high-quality textbooks in schools, in a move aimed at reducing the rising cost of education for parents, improving learning outcomes and promoting environmental sustainability.School supplies

The policy was unveiled by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaba Sai’d, as part of sweeping reforms targeted at repositioning Nigeria’s education sector and easing the financial burden on families.

Under the new framework, schools are required to adopt standardised and durable textbooks designed to last between four and six years.

The policy expressly prohibits the practice of bundling disposable workbooks with textbooks, a practice the government says has inflated school expenses and contributed to unnecessary waste.

According to the ministers, the reusable textbook initiative will enable siblings to share learning materials across academic sessions, significantly reduce recurring education costs for parents and limit waste generation within the school system, thereby advancing national sustainability goals.

As part of the broader reforms, the Federal Government has also introduced a uniform academic calendar to ensure consistency in teaching, learning and school planning across the country.