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Student Leader Dispels Protest Rumour Against LG Boss

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12 years ago

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Cross section of matriculating students of Rivers State University of Science and Technology, during the university’s 32nd matriculation ceremony in Port Harcourt last Wednesday.

Cross section of matriculating students of Rivers State University of Science and Technology, during the university’s 32nd matriculation ceremony in Port Harcourt last Wednesday.

Contrary to insinua
tions making the rounds that the National Union of Etche Students (NUES) plans to stage a protest against the Chairman of Etche Local Government Area, Hon Reginald Ukwuoma,the President of NUES, Comrade Agbagwa Chimuanya says it was all rumour.
Comrade Chimuanya who dispelled the rumour in an exclusive interview with The Tide yesterday at the Rivers State College of Health Science and Technology, Port Harcourt accused a faceless group of being behind the mischievous rumour in its desparate ploy to pitch the students body against the administration of Etche Council boss.
The national president of NUES World-Wide said the faceless group who called itself as National Union of Etche Students Action Group (NUESAG) had also given him (Comrade Chimuanya) 42 hours to resign for stealing monies running into several millions of Naira released to the body by Etche Local Government Chairman to cover their bursary union bus, secretariat and other Sunday issues.
He showed a copy of the petition to The Tide reporter which was neither signed nor dated but containing serious allegations ranging from fraudulent practices to ineptide on the part of the National President of NUES.
Comrade Chimuanya further revealed that all the bodies and persons which the faceless group claimed to have copied to, did not get copies adding that he equally presented the petition to Hon Ukwuoma who asked him to take Etche students that he had not relased the monies due to the Eketa market project, completion of  light project to Igbodo Etche and numerous other projects he was executing.
According to him, the council boss remarked  that he would not release the promised fund to the NUES president  alone but to the knowledge of the entire union and promised the union members to exercise some patients as much of the promises would be reflected in the 2014 budget of the council for proper accountability.
Comrade Chimuanya called on NUES members and the entire Etche people to disregard the rumoured protest and reassured that he would be transparent in all his dealings as he had only come to serve the union and not to do otherwise.
Attempt to contact the (NUESAG) for balance was not possible because the group had no contact address nor were the names of the petitioners contained in the petition but attempt to reach the chairman of Etche Local  Government Council, Barrister Reginald Ukwuoma was also not successful as his phone line could not go through when severally called.
Chris Oluoh

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Education

FG, ASUU Set Date to Sign Agreement

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6 days ago

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January 12, 2026

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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.
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DSS, Rector Warn Kogi Poly Students Against Vices,Rumours

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6 days ago

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January 12, 2026

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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.
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Education

FG Bans Disposable workbooks, introduces reusable textbooks in schools

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6 days ago

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January 12, 2026

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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.
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