Education

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

A renowned Kano lawyer, activist, commentator and philanthropist, Barrister Sunusi Musa was among the 62 lawyers elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

The LPPC, in a statement signed by its secretary and the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Hajo Bello, disclosed this on Thursday, September 29 2022. Hajo also disclosed that the new SANs would be officially conferred with the rank on November 21, 2022.

The title of SAN is the equivalent of the Queen’s Counsel in the United Kingdom. It is conferred on persons qualified to practice as barristers and solicitors of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and who have distinguished themselves in the practice of law.

Over the years, the rules governing the conferment have been amended to accommodate law teachers and scholars who have contributed immensely to the teaching and learning of the law. Federal and state prosecutors who have excelled in the practice of law within the dictates of their engagement are also now considered for the SAN title.

The LPPC, which is chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, also have members like the Attorney General of the Federation and distinguished heads of courts and reputable senior advocates as its members.

The basic requirements for a lawyer to be elevated to the inner bar include:

1: Good Character and calm temperament;

2: Must be qualified to practice as a legal practitioner in Nigeria for not less than ten years;

3: Must have appearances at the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and other courts of record;

4: A good law office and law library are considered in the case of lawyers in private practice, amongst other things.

Few privileges are also enjoyed by SANs to the exclusion of other lawyers. These include:

1: Sitting at the inner bar or front roll and being given the opportunity of mentioning their cases before junior counsel;

2: Must appear with a junior counsel in a civil case;

3: Appear in a distinct robe on certain legal occasions;

4: The title also attracts more legal fees and professional patronage from clients and members of the public.

By Muhammad Aminu

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has charged higher education institutions that benefit from its interventions to ensure strict compliance with the public procurement process to prevent corruption.

TETFund Executive Secretary, Architect Sonny Echono, disclosed this while opening a three-day capacity-building workshop on the public procurement process for TETFund beneficiary institutions organized by TETFund in collaboration with the public procurement Bureau (BPP) in Kano.

He said the training was for the institutions from the Northwest and Northeast subregions of the country to get equipped with the procurement processes to curtail corrupt practices in the agency’s projects.

He noted that the training would serve as a refresher training for desk officers of TETFund in the 246 enlisted beneficiary tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

Echono further called on the participants to utilise the opportunity and enhance their knowledge in public procurement law to achieve the desired objectives.

In his presentation, the Director General of the BPP, Mamman Ahmadu, said the workshop that intends to ensure attaining the provision of the public procurement Act came at the right moment.

”We are here today to build the capacity of accounting officers, principal officers, public officers and other key players in the procurement value chain.”

He said BPP would ensure that all provisions of the procurement act are strictly adhered in procurement in the Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

By Muhammad Sabiu

The National Universities Commission, on behalf of the Federal Government, today rescinded the circular that earlier instructed vice-chancellors, pro chancellors, and governing councils to reopen federal universities.

Recall that it was early on reported that all vice-chancellors, pro chancellors, and chairmen of governing councils of federal universities received a circular with the subject line NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135, directing them to reopen their institutions.

However, the commission reverses the directive few hours later, in a subsequent circular with the reference number NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/136, which was also signed by Sam Onazi, the NUC’s director of finance and accounts.

Without categorically stating the reason behind the U-turn, the letter tagged, “withdrawal of circular NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135 dated September 23, 2022” noted, “I have been directed to withdraw the NUC Circular Ref: NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135, and dated September 23, 2022, on the above subject.

“Consequently, the said circular stands withdrawn. All pro-chancellors and chairmen of governing councils, as well as vice-chancellors of federal universities, are to please note. Further development and information would be communicated to all relevant stakeholders.

“Please accept the assurances of the Executive Secretary’s warmest regards”

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Federal Government Monday has ordered the universities’ vice-chencellors to re-open schools to allow students to resume lectures.

The FG gave the order through the National Universities Commission (NUC) on Monday, September 26, 2022.

The directive was contained in a letter singed by the Director, Finance and Accounts of the NUC, Sam Onazi, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the commission, Professor Abubakar Rasheed.

NUC instructed that all vice-chancellors; Pro-Chancellors and chairmen of governing councils of federal universities should re-open schools.

The instruction reads: “Ensure that ASUU members immediately resume/commence lectures; Restore the daily activities and routines of the various University campuses.’’

It could be recalled that, with the deadlock in negotiation between the FG and ASUU members, the federal government went to court to challenge the action of the association.

In its latest session on the case, the National Industrial Court, through Polycarp Humman, the presiding judge, granted the federal government’s application for an interlocutory injunction to restrain ASUU from continuing with the strike.

Recall that ASUU has been on a strike since February 14, 2022. The university lecturers have down tools to press their demands home on issues that boarder on improved work environment, facilities, and upholding of various agreement entered between the union and federal government.

By Rabiu Muhammad Gama

Prof. Yuval N. Harari might be a fake scholar, as some critics are desperately “begging” us to accept and believe. Some critics also imply that he might be the most grossly over-hyped and rigorously marketed scholar in the West. Harari might be basking in unearned attention. He might even be an irritating know-it-all or an intellectual nuisance.

The scientific community might have debunked most of his claims. His works might be riddled with some historical and scientific errors here and there. He might not deserve the wide global acclaim he is receiving today. His works might be replete with idle speculations and groundless generalizations that many scholars find annoying.

However, you cannot dismiss the fact that Harari always asks the big questions – the earthshaking questions that every intellectual worth his salt should be obsessed with. And there’s some “indismissable” magic that seems to clothe his books: when you read his books, you can’t help but feel a bit smarter and/or more informed than anyone who hasn’t read them.

To say Harari is highbrow is a sheer understatement. He is a perfect definition of a polymath. He is blessed with an unusual brain, a razor-sharp brain. His grasp of the esoteric world of science and the humanities is as baffling as it is admirable. Very few scholars can merge science and the humanities as Harari does.

If anything, the torrent of bashings and roastings that Harari is receiving lately from some of the finest critics in the world is a testimony that he has come up with something fascinating that makes his readers curious and his critics restless. Of course, some people might like to dismiss him as a mere talented storyteller. Nonetheless, and at the risk of sounding hyperbolic, he is one of the greatest intellectuals around!

Rabiu Gama wrote from Kano, Nigeria via rabiumuhammadgama0@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Kano State Ministry of Education on Saturday conducted a screening test for the state’s candidates that would be sponsored to study in Bilingual College, Niamey, the capital city of the Niger Republic.

A statement Saturday by the Director Public Enlightenment, Ministry of Education Kano state, Aliyu Yusuf, said the test was in preparation for the 2021/2022 admission exercise.

Bilingual College is a joint initiative between the Kano State Government and the Government of Niger Republic to groom students in French and English languages.

The statement read in part, “The Screening test which was conducted across the 3 senatorial zones of the state was aimed at selecting 1 best candidate each from the 44 local government council areas of the state to study at the college.

“Similarly, another selection exercise will be conducted among the remaining candidates that have attended the screening test for the Bilingual College, with a view to admitting them into various Unity  Schools across 18 northern states that runs  Students exchange programme.

“In the same vein, the ministry has also facilitated the movement of another set of Kano state students that conducted an entry examination into Gifted Academy, Bamaina in Jigawa.

“The Successful students at the end of the examination will be sponsored to study at the Gifted Academy Bamaina by the Jigawa state Government,” the statement added.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Medical equipment worth N200 million was donoted to Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, in Ogun State, by one of the school’s alumni.

The alumnus identified as Dr. Tokunbo Ogunfemi, is a UK-based clinical scientist and lecturer at a university in London.

Ogunfemi stated that the donation was part of his efforts to give back to his alma mater.

He added that the medical instrument would allow students to gain practical knowledge in addition to theoretical aspects taught in class.

Ogunfemi was quoted to have said, “There are about 10 equipment and each is within the worth £ 23, 000. The other four set, is £20, 000, and the last set is about £15, 000. Like I said, I didn’t pay for any of them. I collected them from the hospital where I work.

“Twelve microscopes for malaria parasites; they can use it to detect if you have short blood; they can use it to test anemia, food poison, diabetes, low sugar etc.

“There is one for the detection of early cancer; there are also microscopes – for detection of microorganisms and microbes; there are instrument to check people with staphylococcus among others.

“All those instrument belong to them. They are in the range of N150 million to N200 million. I didn’t pay for it but, I used about N1.5 million to ship it.”

Ogunfemi was commended by the Chairman, Governing Council of the Polytechnic,  Dr  Veronica Ogbuagu, and the Rector, Dr Olusegun Aluko.

They disclosed that the donation was received during the council meeting to serve as honour to the donor.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Governor Yahya Bello of Kogi State has cautioned Nigerian students to desist from their planned national protest for security reasons.

The governor has cautioned the students while speaking on Arise TV on Wednesday, adding that the students should learn from the outcome of the EndSARS protest and not take to the streets.

The Daily Reality reported that the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) had protested against the lingering strike at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The aggrieved students had threatened to shut down the airport if the conflict between the Federal Government and ASUU has not been resolved.

He said, “Let me admonish the NANS and the younger generation just like I did during #EndSARS when it was just starting then, please don’t take the law into your own hands.

“Our candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is deeply concerned, and even Mr President. We are all concerned about this lingering crisis. What this administration failed to do is to remove the political aspect of ASUU and other associated problems from the academics and that is why we are facing what we are facing today.

“Now, don’t take the law into your own hands. With EndSARS, we knew exactly what happened. If you take to the streets, there are hoodlums out there who are ready or who have been sponsored to hijack the protest from you.”

By Uzair Adam Imam

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has described the ruling against the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) by the Industrial Court as black ‘market judgement’.

NANS said the ruling betrayed equity because the Federal Government, at the first place, ought not to drag the academic union before the court.

The court Wednesday has ordered ASUU to suspend its ongoing strike immediately, saying the strike was a breach of the Section 18(1)(2) of the Trade Disputes Act, which prohibits their action.

The students’ union disclosed this in a statement by its National Public Relations Officer, Giwa Yisa Temitope, who described the ruling as a “black market judgment.”

The statement read in part, “Our attention has been drawn to a news of a court judgment mandating the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call of its 7 month strike. As an association, we feel disturbed to read the news of the judgment because we believe that it betrays equity.

“Ordinarily, the Federal Government is not meant to have dragged ASUU to court. But, the fact that they had to drag ASUU to court is a signal that this government cannot handle crisis. And, we want to state categorically that the court cannot force members of ASUU back to lecture theatres.

“And, as it stands today, with that court judgment, we maintain that the court has not resolved the problem and we reject the judgment in strong terms.

“The court could have said that the Federal Government should go and pay rather than say that lecturers who are on strike should go back to classrooms. We were expecting the court to have understood that lecturers are on contract of personal service hence, they cannot be compelled to render a service they don’t want to render.

“The only remedy to this strike action is for the Federal Government to accede to the demands of ASUU which the government willingly entered into with them and properly fund education.”

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

Zahrah Buhari, one of the daughters-in-law of Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, has graduated from a foreign university.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Aisha Buhari, broke the news of the family’s milestone on Facebook on Tuesday.

The First Lady, who posted pictures from the graduation ceremony, congratulated her daughters-in-law on graduating with a first-class degree in architecture.

“Congratulations to Mrs. Zahra B Buhari on your graduation with First Class Honors in Architectural Science. Wishing you all the best!” She wrote.

This is coming amidst the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, months-old strike. Consequently, many Nigerians condemn the first family for being insensitive to the plight of Nigerian students.