Thursday 21 September 2017

WHAT IS RESTRUCTURING AND DOES NIGERIA NEED IT - MALLAM NASIR EL-RUFAI AT CHATHAM HOUSE LONDON.




Restructuring and Does Nigeria Need it? - The Essence of the Restructuring Debate in Nigeria.

Remarks by Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, at Chatham House, London; Thursday, 21st September 2017


PROTOCOLS

Introduction
When I concluded plans to visit London this week, it was for the purpose of making a presentation on primary health care at Chatham House. But about a week ago, I received a request to also speak here about the restructuring debate in Nigeria. I accepted with reservations, because I chair the APC’s Committee on True Federalism.  

While I appreciate that the invitation to speak on the matter reflects the international attention the Nigerian debate on restructuring is attracting, I am keenly aware that whatever I say here is liable to be misunderstood or misinterpreted by interested parties back home as the position of the committee. So, a useful caveat early on. 

I will try to scope the debate around restructuring, place it in the context of the history of Nigeria, highlight what the key issues appear to be and conclude with how the All Progressives Congress Committee on True Federalism is proceeding with its assignment. Where I consider that outlining my personal views could contribute to the discourse, I will not hesitate to do so, and make clear that such opinions are mine alone.

Nigeria – A Federation without Federalism:
Over five years ago in April 2012, I wrote a widely published article titled “A Federation without Federalism”. The article reflected the broad consensus amongst Nigerians, then and now, that our federation has been dysfunctional, more unitary than federal, and not delivering public goods to the generality of our people. 

Despite possessing significant natural resource endowments, being Africa’s leading economy and most populous nation, Nigerians are neither happy nor content with the current political structure, the 1999 Constitution, and virtually all the institutions of governance at the federal, state and local levels. While this may be largely attributable to our political culture and weird leadership selection process rather than institutions and the constitution, many see the latter as the cause and effect of our national discontent.

This state of national dissatisfaction for a variety of reasons and motives has led to strident calls from virtually all segments of Nigerian society for political, constitutional and fiscal reform using various words and phrases - restructuring, true federalism, devolution, resource control, regionalism, self-determination and so on. How do we separate the signal from the noise? 

How much of the debate is propelled by a desire for national progress and how much is mere politics, opportunism and search for sectional entitlement? Is the debate mostly driven by our fractious politics and competing interests, or are there real grievances whose resolution will create a critical juncture and opportunity for national rebirth. I will attempt to explore these questions and end with some thoughts on how the APC Committee I am privileged to be chairing is hoping to address them.

In Search of Nationhood:
Everyone knows that Nigeria was founded by British fiat in 1914, bringing together the diverse peoples and cultures of a vast land under one polity. As the winds of change unleashed by the outcome of the Second World War and the independence of India spurred agitations for self-government, Nigerians debated, under British tutelage, the political structure of a future, free Nigeria. Those who wanted federalism won the argument, at the cost of being derided as “Pakistanists”  by a vocal minority that wanted a unitary Nigeria.

The 1950s saw the emergence of three regions, Northern, Eastern and Western, with elected Nigerian leaders with limited powers of self-rule.  
In the pre-independence debates, the leaders of the Western and Northern regions were especially insistent on a loose federation with strong regions. This ultimately prevailed at independence in 1960, and was reaffirmed by the republican Constitution of 1963. Historical records indicate that the peoples of the smaller ethnic groups in the North, West and East, largely accepted and supported the federalist consensus, and they expected its logic to extend to the creation of new regions for them, or special arrangements to accommodate their interests. 

A deal between the parties controlling the Northern and Eastern Regions produced the governing coalition at independence in 1960. In 1963, the Mid-West was carved out of the Western region as the fourth region. Each of these regions had a written constitution, emblem and an official representation in London. They had significant powers, and were authorised to raise the revenues needed to fund themselves and contribute to the central government. 

The political giants that led the old regions competed to do their best for their respective peoples: the Western Region launched the first public television service in Africa, a few years after adopting a free education policy that consolidated its head start in western education by extending universal access to the masses. Each of the three original regions founded its own university, built industrial estates, and developed hospitality businesses; and they tried to build the physical infrastructure needed for a modern economy. 

Some of the most enduring institutions in Nigeria were built by these regional governments, hence the understandable nostalgia in some quarters for the currently-dysfunctional federal structure of Nigeria to revert to the regions of old. 

However, after the “Five Majors” struck in 1966, and assassinated virtually all the elected political leaders of the Northern and Western Regions, a unitarist tendency gained influence in General Aguiyi Ironsi’s government, and a unification decree was enacted in May 1966, unifying the public service across the country, to much opposition, especially from the Northern Region. Although a counter-coup in July 1966 sounded the death knell for the unification decree, the remnants of unitarism remained, enabled without doubt by the centralised structure of the military which inexorably further distorted our post-independence federalism. The counter-coup was followed by widespread violence in the North, the creation of 12 states out of the four defunct regions, threats of secession and a civil war.

To raise the resources for prosecuting the civil war which started in 1967, the taxation powers of the former regions were changed in favour of the federal government, further strengthening the centre at the expense of the twelve states. The military sat tight for 13 years in their first coming. They ensured that the Federal Republic of Nigeria, headed by a Supreme Commander, and ruled by the Federal Military Government, became a strangely named, mainly unitary state. 

The four years of civilian democratic rule between 1979 and 1983 saw some resurgence and reassertion of the federal spirit. Lagos State, for instance, established a state university, a radio station and a television service. Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the governor, even signed contracts to build a metro system in Lagos even though railways are, till today, on the Exclusive Legislative List in our Constitution, making it a purely federal function.

The second coming of the military lasted until 1999. In those sixteen years, the unitarist takeover was completed. A new generation of citizens grew up knowing only the command-and-control system of the soldiers. A psychological distortion made political deformation even worse. More powers had been concentrated at the centre, the federal bureaucracy had ballooned and there were now many states (from 12 to 36) whose evident limitations proved insufficient to discourage the demand for yet more states. 

As states became many, smaller and less fiscally-independent, a powerful centre, manifested in a Federal Government that assumed ever more powers and responsibilities, took the biggest chunk of national revenues (now about 53%) but did very little well. This is a brief summary of our national journey to dysfunction!

Our national psyche has since then been focused on the distribution of easy oil rents from the central government to the states. Thus, after 57 years of independence, it is not unusual to see official government forms that ask for state of origin, ethnicity and religion, rather than state of residence, and what taxes one paid last year. These unitarist and distributive impulses did not accelerate the evolution of national unity and productive endeavour. Rather it created a rentier economic structure and preserved the colonial stratagem of divide and rule using ethnic, religious and geographic identities. 

By the late military era, coinciding with the democratic wave unleashed by the end of the Cold War, political groups and civic organisations, mainly in the south, were agitating for a sovereign national conference to negotiate the terms on which the component parts of Nigeria will stay together. The military ruler of the time, President Ibrahim Babangida resisted the call, but his successor, General Abacha, convened a national conference that neither restored federalism nor produced real democracy until he died in 1998.

Democratic rule was restored in May 1999, following the election of former General Olusegun Obasanjo as president. In 1976, General Obasanjo became the second military officer hailing from the south to become Head of State. In 1999, he became the first from the south to take office as an executive president. The calls for a sovereign national conference became slightly muted in the period leading to the 2003 elections, but came alive again in 2005, as Obasanjo’s tenure was coming to an end. 

There have been two national conferences in the Fourth Republic, convened by sitting presidents, but both were trailed by suspicions that they were arranged to advance some kind of personal or sectional political agenda. The conferences instituted by Presidents Obasanjo (2005) and Goodluck Jonathan (2014) did not lead to the restoration of federalism or advance democratic consolidation.    

Where We Are as APC Administration:
As observed earlier, in recent months, there has been a resurgence of the clamour for restructuring. Some of the advocates have not bothered to define what restructuring means to them: is it devolution of powers, resource-control, regionalism, or even self-determination, or all of these? Restructuring is the new buzz word, and some of its advocates demonize anyone not using the same registers as them, while many a politician espies in it opportunities for media attention, renewed relevance or career-enhancement. Perhaps I have only described the variety of motivations that tend to surround great questions!

I have previously expressed my personal view, regretting the opportunism of certain leaders who espouse restructuring now for purposes of political and media attention, noting that they did nothing to advance such goals when they were in power. And I pointed out that the Federal Government needs to devolve more powers to the states, and the states to the local governments. On live national television, I asserted that this is already happening under the APC national government by convention and pragmatic devolution, without any legislation, national conference or constitutional amendment. 

For instance, my colleagues and I in the Kaduna State Executive Council requested that the Federal Government should re-designate two major roads in Kaduna, our state capital, as state roads. The Federal Executive Council granted our wishes, restoring the two roads to our control and saving us the inconvenience of seeking permission from a federal bureaucrat before we can install street lights on a major road in our state capital. I also cited the fact that the Federal Government no longer just issues mining titles in Abuja; rather it now works with state governments that control the titles to land, unlike in our recent non-collaborative past. In Kaduna State, we are trying to devolve control of forests, management of fire services and other ‘state-level’ functions to our 23 local governments, in addition to many others.  

As I argued at a recent event, I do not believe that a single, centralised police force can deliver on the necessity to visibly project state power and enforce the law in this vast country of ours with nearly 200 million people. Neither is the exclusive control of over-crowded prisons and an unmanageable number of federal trunk roads and railways!

Amidst these renewed demands for restructuring, our national parliament - the Senate and House of Representatives - had voted against key restructuring provisions in the proposed constitutional amendment bills. The APC has a majority in both chambers of the National Assembly, and the public expected the party to provide leadership on the issue of true federalism, which is one of our manifesto commitments.

APC Committee on True Federalism:
In response to these developments and due to the need to clearly articulate our roadmap for political and constitutional reform, the APC set up a Committee on True Federalism to help to give structure to the debate, remove the bile and bitterness colouring the matter and transform the discourse into a nation-building event. 

Our party is particularly keen to hear the voices of young people that account for over 80 percent of our population, not just the eloquent assertions of the old politicians like me who are above the age of 50. 

The APC Committee on True Federalism, which I chair, has the following Terms of Reference:

  1. Examine the Party constitution, manifesto and other publications to ascertain the true intent and definition of the national structure promised by the Party during the Presidential campaign.
  2.  Review all various ideas being promoted in the current public debate on national restructuring
  3. Take a studied look at the report of the various national conferences and in particular that of 2014, its recommendations to identify areas of concurrence with the Party’s promise in (1) above. 
  4. Liaise with APC caucus in the National Assembly to deliberate and recommend a legislative strategy for addressing the demand for political restructuring and how to use the report of National Conference in the best interest of the country.
  5. Arising from (1-4) above, propose appropriate mechanism for implementing the Party position within the confines of current constitutional arrangement without prejudice to the continued unity and shared prosperity of the nation.
  6. Make any other recommendation which in the opinion of the committee advances the unity national integration and collective wellbeing of the country. 


The Committee began by focusing its preliminary research and preparatory work in the following four broad areas:
• Balance in the federation - Devolution of powers to sub-nationals;
• Review of revenue allocation formula;
• Citizenship matters including federal character, and 
• Review of key recommendations of the 2005 and 2014 national conferences.

The preponderance of opinion is that the Federal Government needs to shed weight, and return powers and resources to the states where most government functions can be more efficiently undertaken. For the states to take on these powers, they need to access a greater share of the nation’s resources. And we need to sort out the notion of citizenship so that every Nigerian can enjoy the protection of the Constitution wherever they choose to reside. In many communities, people still use the notion of ‘indigene-ship’ to consign compatriots to a position of ‘settler’ and, by implication, perpetual exclusion from enjoying the full political, social and economic opportunities guaranteed by the Constitution to every citizen. 

Key Issues for Debate:
After a careful review of history, literature and reports on the four broad areas identified above, the APC Committee on True Federalism has reduced the subject matter into the following twelve contentious issues that have consistently featured in virtually all previous debates on the issues around restructuring by whatever name or phrase:


  1. Creation or merger of states and the framework and guidelines for achieving that;
  2.  principle, bordering on what percentage of federal collectible revenues from mining should be given back to the sub-nationals from which the commodities are extracted;
  3.  of powers: what items on the exclusive legislative list should be transferred to the recurrent list, especially state and community police, prisons, etc.;
  4.  Units: Should Nigeria be based on regions or zones or retain the 36-state structure?
  5.  federalism and revenue allocation; 
  6. Form of government - (parliamentary or presidential?);
  7. Independent candidacy;
  8. Land tenure system;
  9. Local government autonomy;
  10. Power sharing and rotation of political offices;
  11. Resource control; and
  12. Type of legislature – part-time or full-time, unicameral or bicameral?
We have since published calls for memoranda, created various social media platforms to tap into the opinions of the younger generation, and commenced public hearings in 12 locations across Nigeria. The final public hearing will take place in the nation’s capital Abuja, targeting National Assembly members and the general public living within the federal capital territory.
The Secretary of our Committee, Senator Bunmi Adetunmbi articulated our position very clearly recently:

“The APC recognizes that the work of nation-building is an ongoing process in which every stakeholder has a role to play, by making his own contribution. In this case, the APC as a national political party is an institution and a stakeholder that has a role to play in making its own contribution. This exercise is our own way of making that contribution. 

The APC leadership felt that it is not necessary to think alone among ourselves, but to also ask members of the public what they think. That is why everything this Committee is doing is not about its own opinion, but harvesting the opinion of the ordinary people in order to form an opinion. After all, no political party exists just by itself, but by the mandate of people.

In this regard, we have put up an announcement calling on members of the public to submit memoranda and meet us at designated venues of the public hearings without any discrimination. So, it is an open invitation to all Nigerians to attend and make their views and voices to count.”

With this multi-pronged approach, we are confident we will feel the pulse of ordinary Nigerians and submit a credible report that will guide the leaders of our party, and governments. With this open-minded approach to the question of restructuring, I have no doubt that we will credibly fulfil our terms of reference.

Some Concluding Thoughts:
As I have argued since 2012, there is no doubt that the Nigerian federation is unbalanced and in dire need of structural rebalancing. This I think we all agree as Nigerians, but the devil is in the details. While some advocates of wholesale abandonment of the existing political structure are probably unrealistic in their expectations, I believe most Nigerians appreciate and cherish our unity in diversity but seek the enthronement of a fairer, meritocratic system that puts social justice above everything else. It is not very hard to achieve this.

Under the current constitutional order, such a system can be achieved peacefully either (i) gradually as shown by the Buhari administration’s devolution of responsibilities and increasing involvement of sub-nationals in national economic policymaking or (ii) more rapidly through constitutional and legislative actions of the National and State Assemblies well before the 2019 general elections. Both options are already being pursued albeit in a haphazard manner, hence the need for our Committee.

Our expectation as a governing party (and government in office) is that the voice of Nigerians – particularly young people – ought to set the agenda for what is desirable in creating a country where there are equal opportunities for all, and where peace and justice reign. The insistent din of the vocal political minority should not drown the new voices of the majority, many of whom are young and apolitical. 

Our Committee hopes our approach will enable our party to attain the goal of getting to the very heart and soul of the restructuring debate through the lens of the ordinary Nigerian. There is an opportunity for Nigerians to advance, discuss and refine ideas for adjusting the Exclusive List, Minerals and Mining Rights, the local government system, choice of National VAT versus Sub-National Sales Taxes, Population Census and re-Demarcation of Federal and State Constituencies based on the 2006 Census – all matters that are long overdue for deep reflection and reform.

This nation-building exercise could also encourage consensus for introducing State Constitutions, State Police, Appeal and Supreme Courts, creation or merger of states, reviewed tax powers, and reinforcing state government control over land by vesting mineral rights in the states, subject to federal royalties, export duties and taxes.

We intend to submit our Committee’s report to the Party by the end of October 2017 by God’s Grace.

I thank you for the opportunity. Thanks for listening and God Bless.

Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, OFR
Governor of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Credits: El-Rufai Facebook page.

Wednesday 20 September 2017

FUNAAB EXTENDS 2017/2018 ADMISSION APPLICATION

FUNAAB SENATE HOUSE

 application for 2017/18 academic session has been extended to Wed,27th September 2017 to allow New UTME candidates who have recently changed their first choice  of institution to FUNAAB  to process their admission application online 
By this extension, the closing date for FUNAAB 2017/18 online admission application exercise is Wed, 27th Sept 2017  as against Friday 22nd Sept 2017 initially announced.

FUNAAB gets New VC, Registrar, and Bursar





The Governing Council of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, has approved the appointment of three new Principal Officers, in substantive capacities, for the University. The Principal Officers-designates are: Professor Felix Kolawole Salako, Vice-Chancellor; Dr. Hakeem Adebola Adekola, Registrar; and Mr. Chukwunwike Ezekpeazu, Bursar.

According to the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the University, Dr. (Barr.) Aboki Zhawa, “The process was guided by rules, regulations and the Act (establishing the University). We were guided by provisions of the Act, the rules of the University and Federal Character. We, as a Council, decided to set up the committee that will do the screening for the Council. It was after screening that the Technical Committee was mandated to look at the applicants; to see if they have complied with the spirit of the advertisement. The Technical Committee came up with a good list and they presented to the Selection Board. Having looked at the list, we made a recommendation to the Council and it approved the list and the other recommendations that were submitted”.

The Vice-Chancellor-designate, Professor Felix Salako, was born in Lagos State in 1961 and hails from Ibadan, Oyo State. A Professor of Soil Physics in the Department of Soil Science and Land Management, College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT) of the University, he attended the famous Igbobi College, Lagos; the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he obtained his B. Agric (Hons) and M.Sc degrees in Soil Science in 1983 and 1986, respectively before proceeding to the University of Ibadan, where he bagged his PhD Degree in Soil Science, in 1997.

Professor Salako joined the services of FUNAAB in 2000 as a Senior Lecturer and moved up the academic ladder to become a Professor in 2006. He had served the University on many fronts, which include: Head of Department, Soil Science and Land Management; Director, Agricultural Media Resources and Extension Centre; Pioneer Director, Centre for Community-Based Farming Scheme and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development, for two terms. He has to his credit, over 80 publications in books/monographs, articles in learned journals, papers in referred conference proceedings and technical reports. He had equally supervised more than 50 students at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in addition to being external examiners to several notable universities.

Professor Salako belongs to a number of professional associations and learned societies such as the International Society of Agricultural Meteorology; Soil Science Society of Nigeria; Agricultural Society of Nigeria; Soil and Water Conservation Society, United States of America and had delivered papers at many local and international conferences, seminars and workshops. Notable academic laurels won by him include the Best Student Prize in Soil Science (1982 - 1983) Graduating Set of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the Marquis' Who-is-Who in Science and Engineering (8th Edition) and Chief War Marshall, Man O’ War Club of Nigeria.

He is currently the Southwestern Nigeria Co-ordinator (2016-2021), African Cassava Agronomy Initiative, taking Agronomy to Scale in Sub-Saharan Africa (ACAI) for the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria; a project that has impacted the University and the society at large. Professor Salako, a Jerusalem Pilgrim, was honoured with the chieftaincy titles of the Asoludero of Iwoye-Ketu and the Bobatolu of Isaga-Orile; Ogun State, in recognition of his immense contributions to the development of the two communities, among other laurels.

The Registrar-designate, Dr. Hakeem Adekola, was born in Lagos on January 12, 1968, is a native of Ogun Waterside, Ogun State. He attended Community High School, Ibiade, Ogun State for his secondary education, between 1980 and 1985. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History; Master of Personnel Psychology and a Doctorate Degree in Applied Psychology (Personnel Psychology option), from the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, in 1989, 1997 and 2006, respectively. He was employed as an Administrative Officer II by the Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University) in September 1991. He rose through the ranks to become a Deputy Registrar in October 2007 in the same university. He was later appointed as the Pioneer Registrar of the Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State in 2007 and served out his tenure on April 30, 2012.

Dr. Adekola’s work experience has transversed different aspects of university administration such as faculty offices, senate affairs, academic planning units, committees and the vice-chancellor’s office. He belongs to several professional bodies, including the Association of Nigerian Universities Professional Administrators (ANUPA); Association of American University Administrators, United Kingdom (AUA,UK); Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) of Nigeria; and Chartered Institute of Civilian Administration, Ghana (CIDA, Ghana), among others. He has attended many local and international conferences and has to his credit, several academic, professional publications as well as teaching experiences. Until his appointment, he was the Deputy Registrar-in-Charge of Senate Affairs at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.

The Bursar-designate, Mr. Chukwunwike Ezekpeazu, was born on February 2, 1960 in Onitsha, Anambra State. He attended popular Christ the King College, Onitsha; University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he obtained both his B.Sc (Hons) Degree in Accountancy and Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) Banking and Finance in 1981 and 2005, respectively. He has a robust career in accounting, having attended many conferences in his field of specialisation. He belongs to leading professional associations and institutes such as the Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA); and Fellow, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (FCTI); among others. Mr. Ezekpeazu was a former Bursar at the National Mathematical Centre, Abuja and was a Visiting Bursar on Sabbatical at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, before he was appointed as Bursar in FUNAAB. All the appointees are happily married and blessed with children.

Signed

Adewale Kupoluyi

For: Head, Directorate of Public Relations,

Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Saturday 16 September 2017

SOUTH EAST GOVERNORS PROSCRIBE IPOB, RELEASES COMMUNIQUÉ



Communique Arising from the emergency meeting of South East Governors Forum at the

In view of the prevailing security situation in the South East and its attendant consequences, the South East Governors hereby resolves as follows:

1. All activities of IPOB are hereby proscribed. IPOB and all other aggrieved groups are advised to articulate their position on all national issues and submit to the Committee of Governors, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and National Assembly members from the South-East Zone, through their chairman, South-East Governors Forum.

2. All Governors of South-East Zone are to ensure compliance in their respective States.

3. South-East Governors Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and National Assembly Members do hereby reinforce their commitment to a united and indivisible Nigeria.

4. We also reinforce our desire for the restructuring of Nigeria where all national issues will be discussed and amicably settled to achieve justice and fairness to every Nigerian.

5. We reiterate our earlier position that the November 18, 2017 governorship election in Anambra must hold.

6. Accordingly, we appeal to Mr. President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Muhammad's Buhari GCFR to please, withdraw the military in the Southeast zone, while police perform their traditional role of maintaining law and order.

7. South East Governors have taken concrete steps to protect lives and properties of indigenes and non indigenes in the south east.

8. We are in touch with the Northern Governors Forum they have assured us of the safety of all our people living in the north and we have also planned to exchange of visits between the Governors and to re-enforce the confidence of Nigerians in this respect.

9. In keeping with our earlier position, we wish to assure Nigerians that full investigation is ongoing on all allegations of killings, maiming and other unlawful conduct in the South-East Zone within this period. The Governors and the security agencies are in agreement that appropriate action will be taken against anyone found culpable.

10. We advice all residents of the South East to go about their normal businesses as Government of each state is committed to protecting everybody.

11. Finally, we advise our people in the south  east to please be law abiding.

Engr. Nweze Dave Umahi, FNSE, FNATE
Governor of Ebonyi State/ Chairman South-East Governors Forum

Thursday 14 September 2017

LASU ADMISSION SCREENING EXERCISE EXTENDED


The Lagos State University Information Unit has informed that the LASU Admission screening  exercise has been extended by a week, now to close by Friday, 22nd September, 2017.

This was made public by the At. Head, Centre for Information Press and Public Relations, LASU.

READ ANNOUNCEMENT BELOW.

LASU 2017/2018 ONLINE ADMISSION SCREENING EXERCISE EXTENDED BY ONE WEEK, TO CLOSE FRIDAY 22ND SEPT. 2017
In order for Candidates with outstanding issues to complete their registration and allow for new UTME Candidates, who have recently changed their first choice of institution to the Lagos State University, to process their registration, the Lagos State University Management has approved one-week extension of the 2017/2018 Online Admission Screening Exercise.
By this extension, the closing date for the Lagos State University 2017/2018 Online Admission Screening Exercise is now Friday, 22nd September, 2017, as against Friday 15th September, 2017, initially announced.
Prospective Candidates who are yet to register/complete their registration are advised
to take advantage of the one-week extension as no further extension will be granted.
We are LASU, We are Proud!

Signed
Ademola Adekoya
Ag. Head, Centre for Information Press and Public Relations, LASU.

Tuesday 12 September 2017

WAFU ADJUSTS CUP OF NATIONS FIXTURES

WAFU adjusts Cup of Nations fixtures



The West African Football Union has effected adjustment in fixtures of the 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations earlier released immediately after the draws held in Accra in August.



In the event, the Nigerian camp has now been informed that instead of playing the Black Stars of Ghana on Thursday, 14th September as it was in the original fixtures, the Super Eagles will now play Mali’s Aiglons in the day’s first match kicking off at 3pm Ghana time (4pm Nigeria time). Guinea’s Syli Nationale will play the Black Stars in Thursday’s second game, also at the Cape Coast Stadium, starting at 7pm Nigeria time.



On Saturday, the Super Eagles will tackle the Syli Nationale also in the day’s first match, before Ghana and Mali will do battle as from 7pm Nigeria time.



The much –anticipated clash between heavyweight rivals Ghana and Nigeria now comes up on Monday, 18th September by 6pm Ghana time (7pm Nigeria time). The second match of the day, between Mali and Guinea, will take place simultaneously at Ndoum Stadium.



2017 WAFU CUP OF NATIONS (REVISED FIXTURES)



THURSDAY, 14TH SEPTEMBER

Nigeria Vs Mali (15.00hrs)

Guinea Vs Ghana (18.00hrs)



SATURDAY, 16TH SEPTEMBER

Guinea Vs Nigeria (15.00hrs)

Ghana Vs Mali (18.00hrs)



MONDAY, 18TH SEPTEMBER

Guinea Vs Mali (18.00hrs)

Ghana Vs Nigeria (18.00hrs)



* All times GMT

Credit: Kayode Tijani

PRESIDENT BUHARI COMMISSIONS OLAM POULTRY AND FEED MILL IN KADUNA - SEE PHOTOS




 Buhari with L-R: Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Kaduna State Deputy Governor Arc. Barnabas Yusuf Bala, MD/CEO Africa & Middle East Olam International Srivathsan Venkataraman and Kebbi State Governor H.E. Atiku Bagudu as he commissions the Olam Poultry and Feed Mill in Kaduna on 12th Sept 2017

Olam 5: President Buhari with L-R: Vice President Corporate & Government relations Olam Nigeria Mr Ade Adefeko, Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Kaduna State Deputy Governor Arc. Barnabas Yusuf Bala, MD/CEO Africa & Middle East Olam International Srivathsan Venkataraman and Kebbi State Governor H.E. Atiku Bagudu as he commissions the Olam Poultry and Feed Mill in Kaduna on 12th Sept 2017.





MESSI VERSUS BUFFON

LIONel Messi


Two seasons ago, there were criticisms that Lionel Messi had never scored Cech.

Just like a dream, Messi scored an hat-trick turning him to a cheap goal keeper.

This season, the campaign has been on the front burner again that as good as Lionel Messi is, considering his striking goal records, Buffon is one goal keeper who can dance shoki behind & in front of Oga Messi that 'you never score me unlike CR7.'

Only 90 mins would tell at the Camp Nou coupled with Messi's current form in his last three games.

As young as Mbappe is, he scored a beautiful goal last season against Juventus although they were edged out eventually.

Will Lionel Messi continue to leave under the shade of 0 goal against Buffon, watch out as the Old Ladies take on the Catalonians.

Lobatan!

Credits: Macauly Jamiu.

Friday 8 September 2017

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ADVERT FOR AUTOMATION TECHNICIANS AT NESTLE SAGAMU BRANCH

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ADVERT FOR AUTOMATION TECHNICIANS



Internal and external job openings for Automation Technicians at Nestle Nigeria PLC Sagamu factory. See details of responsibilities and requirements above.

YOUTHS IN THEIR THOUSAND GATHER AT EAGLE SQUARE ABUJA TO PRAY FOR NIGERIA AND PRESIDENT BUHARI

Youths gathered at Eagle Square Abuja to pray for the Nation and health of President Muhammad Buhar

Youths gathered at Eagle Square Abuja to pray for the Nation and health of President Muhammad Buhari








Youths in their thousand under the aegis of National Youth Council of Nigeria on Friday participated in a prayer programme for national unity and the quick recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari.


The  2-day program which commenced on Thursday 7th September and ended on Friday 8th September saw  various clerics took part in the prayers at the Eagle Square , Abuja .

Addressing the participants who came from all parts of the country , the Chairman , Board of Trustees , National Youth Council of Nigeria, Chief Makole Azugbene , lauded them for raising the nation before God in prayers .

He called on the government to pay special attention to the youths by creating the right environment for them to express themselves creatively.

He said, “ Today, Nigeria our fatherland is faced with a situation where our maximum efforts are yelding minimum results. The youth have been abused , misused and left despondent . Yet, rather than resort to violence , they have chosen the path of peace . The youth is the hope of this country and as such deserve special attention".

Also speaking , the Chairman , Forum of State Chairmen , National Youth Council of Nigeria, Amb . Sara-Igbe Sukubo said religious harmony is practicable in a multi- religious country like Nigeria .

He noted that the situation in the country called for the youth to stand for national unity and equally seek divine intervention.

“ By this prayer programme , we redefined the uniqueness of our diverse ethnicity as a fulcrum for national unity and strength.” Sukubo stated .

The Founder of Belema Foundation , Jack - Rich Tein, identified the challenges in the country to include the non-engagement of youths in nation building and misuse of available resources.
L-R Amb. (Com. Saheed Tijani-Org. Sec. NYCN Lagos West Senatorial District, Amb. Oresile-Chairman NYCN Lagos State (Middle), a member of the NYCN). Photo Credit: Com. Saheed Tijani




















News Credit: Com. Farouk Olaotan.

LASU EXTERNAL SYSTEM STUDENTS - YOU SHOULD READ THIS!



The management of the Lagos State University has again made it clear that it's external systems programme would be winding up by the 29th of September, 2017.

Students interested in being educated while working can take advantage of the LASU Sandwich programme or soon to be commenced Open and Distance Learning Research Institute (ODLRI) programme. 

This information however is quite significant particularly for students of the external systems who have outstanding or unresolved complaint to make their case known before 29th September, 2017.

Read the press release below


 PRESS RELEASE:

LASU EXTERNAL SYSTEM WINDS-DOWN FRIDAY, 29TH SEPTEMBER, 2017

This is to inform the General Public and particularly students of the Lagos State University External System (LASUES) that academic and administrative activities of LASU External Campuses will cease to function by Friday 29th September, 2017.

The University is therefore calling on all PART TIME students of the INTERNAL and EXTERNAL Campuses who have any outstanding or unresolved complaints to visit the office of the Director, Lagos State University External System (LASUES), Ojo, or lodge their complaints before Friday 29th September, 2017 at the dedicated website http://externalstudentscomplaintsportal.lasu.edu.ng

Please note that this is the final deadline and no extension or excuses will be entertained. 

Signed
University Management

LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY DISMISSES 15 ACADEMIC STAFF AND 2 NON-ACADEMIC STAFF, DEMOTES 2 OTHERS



The Lagos State University in her official bulletin dated 8th September, 2017, and signed by the Ag. Head, Centre for Information Press and Public Relations on behalf of the University Management hereby informs the general public as well as persons concerned of the dismissal and demotion of some academic and non-academic members of staff of the University. 

Please read release below. 

PRESS RELEASE

8TH SEPTEMBER, 2017

LASU GOVERNING COUNCIL DISMISSES 15 ACADEMIC STAFF AND 2 NON-ACADEMIC STAFF, DEMOTES TWO OTHERS

The Lagos State University Governing Council at its Meeting of Thursday 7th September, 2017 DISMISSED Fifteen (15) Academic Staff and Two (2) Non-Academic Staff.  The Council also DEMOTED One Academic and One Non-Academic Staff. Details as follows:
According to Section 6(1) and (2) of the Lagos State University Law 2004 (as amended), the Council of the Lagos State University is the governing authority of the University, and exercises general oversight over the Institution and its affairs.

The Council at its 115th Meeting which held of Thursday 7th September, 2017, considered among others the report of its Joint Council /Senate (Academic) Disciplinary Committee and the Joint Council (Administrative and Technical Staff) Disciplinary Committee. Pursuant thereto the Governing Council with immediate effect DISMISSED fifteen (15) members of the Academic Staff, two (2) members of non-academic staff, and sanctioned others for different acts of misconduct. The details of those dismissed and/or sanctioned are as follows :

Dr. Isaac Akinloye, OYEWUNMI, Senior Lecturer, Department of Human Kinetics, Sports and Health Education, Faculty of Education was established to have demanded the sum of N50, 000 (Fifty Thousand Naira only) from 2003 modular year students of Political Science Education on the sandwich Programme to process their results. He was found culpable of attempt to obtain money for himself as an inducement to carry out his duties, and consequently DISMISSED from the service of the University. 

Dr. Adebowale ADEYEMI-SUENU, Senior Lecturer and Acting Head, Department of History and International studies, Faculty of Arts was established to have unilaterally altered the results of 12 (Twelve) students already advised to withdraw by Senate in the Department of History and International Studies in the 2015/2016 academic session, thereby changing their status from “withdrawn” to “good standing”. He also changed the results of some final year students and stragglers outside the scope of the Departmental decision. Dr. ADEYEMI-SUENU also awarded grade point of 2.0 to two (2) students in an examination from which they were absent. This is tantamount to manipulation of Students results in contravention of provisions of the Conditions and Scheme of Service for Senior Staff. He was therefore DISMISSED from the service of the University. 

Mr Olatoye Mubin RAJI, Assistant Lecturer, Department of Religions, (Islamic Studies Unit), Faculty of Arts, was established to have falsified his November /December 2000 WAEC O’Level certificate. He was therefore DISMISSED from the services of University. 


Dr. Olugbenro Bankole ODOFIN, Senior Lecturer, Department of Education Foundation and Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Education was established to have altered One Hundred and Eighteen (118) students results and also awarded scores to students who did not sit for the examination in a certain course. He was therefore DISMISSED from the services of the University. 

Dr. Adebowale Adebayo ADEMESO, Senior Lecturer, Department of Theatre Arts and Music, Faculty of Arts, was established to have altered grades in sixteen (16) courses. He was therefore DISMISSED from the services of the University. 

Dr. John Olufemi ADEOGUN, Associate Professor, Department of Human Kinetics, Sports and Health Education, Faculty of Education was found culpable of acts of dishonesty which is tantamount to misconduct. He was therefore DEMOTED from the rank of Associate Professor to Senior Lecturer. 

Dr. Scholastica Ebarefimia UDEGBE, Lecturer 1 Department of Marketing, Faculty of Management Sciences was established to have effected corrections on One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ninety-five (1995) results of students during her tenure as Acting Head, Department of Marketing between August 2012 and July 2016, in breach of laid down procedure for effecting correction on students results. In the circumstance, she was DISMISSED from the services of the University. 

Dr. Olufemi Olugbenga SOYEJU, Lecturer ll in the Department of Jurisprudence and International Law, Faculty of Law was established to have defaulted on conditions of his Training Leave bond, and also abandoned his duty post. Consequently, he is to refund the sum of #7,919,972. 84 (Seven Million Nine Hundred and Nineteen Thousand Nine Hundred and Seventy Two Naira Eighty Four kobo) within 30 (Thirty) days of this decision of the Council. He was also DISMISSED from the services of the University. 

Dr. OLAWALE Ganiyu RAIMI, Senior Lecturer, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science was established to have defaulted on conditions of his Training Leave bond, and also abandoned his duty post. Consequently, he is to refund the sum of #1,622,727.94 (One Million Six hundred and Twenty Two Thousand Seven Hundred and Twenty Seven Naira Ninety Four kobo only) within 30 (Thirty) days of the decision of the Council. He was also DISMISSED from the services of the University. 

Mr Ademola Olusola ADESINA, Lecturer ll, Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science, was established to have defaulted on conditions of his Training Leave bond, and also abandoned his duty post. Consequently, he is to refund the sum of #6,688,204.74 (Six Million Six Hundred and Eighty Eight Thousand Two Hundred and Four Naira Seventy Four kobo only) within 30 days (Thirty) days of the decision of Council. He was also DISMISSED from the services of the University. 

Dr. Shamisudeen Olusesan BADMUS, Lecturer ll, Department of Accounting, Faculty of Management Sciences, was established to have defaulted on conditions of his Training Leave bond, and also abandoned his duty post. Consequently, he is to refund the sum of #11,124,991. 40 (Eleven Million One Hundred and Twenty Four Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety One Naira Forty kobo only) within 30 days (Thirty) days of the decision of Council. He was also DISMISSED from the services of the University. 

Dr. Christiana Ibidun OBAGBUWA, Lecturer ll, Department of Computer Science, , Faculty of Science, was established to have defaulted on conditions of her Training Leave bond, and also 
abandoned her duty post. Consequently, she is to refund the sum of #8,663,869.04 (Eight Million Six Hundred and Sixty Three Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty Nine Naira Four kobo only) within 30 days (Thirty) days of the decision of Council. She was also DISMISSED from the services of the University. 

Dr. Emmanuel Sesofia ASAPO, Senior Lecturer, Department of Chemical and Polymer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, was established to have defaulted on conditions of his Training Leave bond, and also abandoned his duty post. Consequently, he is to refund the sum of #2,610,269.57 ( Two Million Six Hundred and Ten Thousand Two Hundred and Sixty Nine Naira Fifty Seven kobo only) within 30 days (Thirty) days of the decision of Council. He was also DISMISSED from the services of the University.

Mr Lateef Babatunde SALAMI, Lecturer ll, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, was established to have defaulted on conditions of his Training Leave bond, and also abandoned his duty post. Consequently, he was also DISMISSED from the services of the University. 

 Olubukola Adetoun OYENIYA, Assistant Research Fellow, Center for Environmental Sciences and Sustainable Development, was established to have defaulted on conditions of her Training Leave bond, and also abandoned her duty post. Consequently, she is to refund the sum of #6,180,233.04 (Six Million One Hundred and Eighty Thousand Two Hundred and Thirty Three Naira Four kobo only) within 30 (Thirty) days from the date of the decision of Council. She was also DISMISSED from the services of the University.

Dr. Fatimat Oluwatoyin BAKARE, Assistant Lecturer, Department of Chemical and Polymer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering was established to have defaulted on conditions of her Training Leave bond, and also abandoned her duty post. Consequently, she is to refund the sum of #9,125,341.29 (Nine Million One Hundred and Twenty Five Thousand Three Hundred and Forty One Naira Twenty Nine kobo only) within 30 (Thirty) days of the decision of Council. Council also DISMISSED her from the services of the University. 

Mr Ernest ODILI, Assistant Security Officer was established to have illegally collected the sum of #120,000 (One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira only) with the intention of upgrading the result of a part time B.Sc Computer Science student in 2012. He was accordingly DISMISSED from the services of the University. 

Mr Ramon Ajose ALLI (former Head Machine Operator) was established to have collected the sum of #20,000 (Twenty Thousand Naira only) from Achilike Kingsley to assist the latter substitute the falsified result in his personal file with another result. He was therefore DISMISSED from the services of the University. 

Mr Emmanuel Baoku BABATUNDE, Senior Security officer, was established to have been engaged in deliberate sabotage of the University security operations. Consequently, he is to be DEMOTED with effect from 13th February, 2015 to the next applicable level below his substantive post

The Joint Council /Senate (Academic) Disciplinary Committee and the Joint Council (Administrative and Technical Staff) Disciplinary Committee which heard the cases strictly followed all laid down procedures, and duly gave opportunity to the individuals involved to defend themselves. The Lagos State University is poised to continue to quality assure its processes.


SIGNED 


ADEMOLA ADEKOYA

ACTING HEAD, CENTRE FOR INFORMATION PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY

Popular Posts