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Senate approves student loan bill

The Senate has passed the Student Loan, Access to Higher Education, Act 2024.

The senate’s resolution followed its consideration of the report of the senate committee on tertiary institutions and TETFUND.

The chairman of the committee, Senator Muntari Dandutse presented the report during plenary.

Last week, President Bola Tinubu transmitted the Bill to the National Assembly for its consideration and passage.

The Upper Legislative chamber had given the Bill an accelerated hearing by suspending relevant sections of its standing rules and referred the Bill to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.

After debate on the Bill, Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred the Bill to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND for further legislative work and to report back in one week.

The Bill seeks to provide easy access to higher education for indigent Nigerians through interest-free loans from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund established in the Act to provide education for all Nigerians.

The senate’s resolution followed its consideration of the report of the senate committee on tertiary institutions and TETFUND.

The chairman of the committee, Senator Muntari Dandutse presented the report during plenary.

Last week, President Bola Tinubu had transmitted the Bill to the National Assembly for its consideration and passage.

The Upper Legislative chamber had given the Bill an accelerated hearing by suspending relevant sections of its standing rules and referred the Bill to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.

After debate on the Bill, Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred the Bill to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND for further legislative work and to report back in one week.

The Bill seeks to provide easy access to higher education for indigent Nigerians through interest-free loans from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund established in the Act to provide education for all Nigerians.

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Education

IGP launches school Protection Squad in Anambra

The Inspector General of Police, IG Kayode Egbetokun has launched Schools Protection Squad in Anambra State to ensure security in educational institutions of all cadre in the state.

The squad, a creation of the IGP, is coordinated by CP Ogunlowo as a way to secure schools and also reduce the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 13, Ukpo, AIG Godwin Aghaulor who represented Egbetokun during a stakeholders forum on security of schools in Anambra State on Tuesday said the forum offers promising steps and measures geared towards prioritizing, and improving security in and around schools and learning institutions in Anambra State.

He said: “Our presence here today is a testament to our collective will and effort to support the IGP and the Nigeria Police Force in promoting the Federal government agenda of prioritizing school protection in Nigeria, as this is one of the many strategic forums on school protection that has been initiated and ongoing in many parts of the country.

“The safety and security of our educational institutions are paramount, and it is imperative that we work together to protect and safeguard our students and educators. Collaboration and integration between host communities and security agencies play a significant role in fostering to secure and harmonious coexistence.

“Nigeria Police Force has also embraced the project by establishing the Schools Protection Squad (SPS) in all the States of the Federation and the FCT, as well as the training of State Coordinators and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) nationwide.”

The forum had the theme: Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of Host Communities in the Protection of Education, and featured paper presentation from Prof Chidozie Nwafor, Head of Department in the Department of Psychology in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam said to address the challenge of insecurity in schools, the command adopted a multi-faceted approach.

He listed the approaches to include conducting regular security assessments and developing emergency response plans, enhancing access control and surveillance systems, collaboration with law enforcement agencies, and training of educators and staff on security protocols.

Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachi Ibezim commended the IG for housing the state as one of the pioneer states for the launch of School Protection Squad.
He said the Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo is working hard to ensure security and a beautiful education system in the state.

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Education

NASU, SSANU to begin strike Monday over 4 months’ withheld salaries

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, have resolved to embark on an indefinite strike commencing Monday.

The Joint Action Committee, JAC, of non-teaching staff unions in the universities, which is coordinating the action has directed its members to proceed on the strike nationwide.

The fresh strike is hinged on the non-payment of their four months withheld salaries from when they joined an industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU during the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

The strike according to the leaders of the two unions would commence on Sunday night of October 27, 2024.

JAC in a circular to all branch Chairman of NASU and SSANU in the universities and inter-university centres, with the title: “Latest development in respect of the withheld four (4) months salaries,” explained that the strike initially billed for 23rd October was rescheduled because of the Trade Group Council meeting of NASU branches on the said date.

The circular which was signed by Prince Peters Adeyemi, General Secretary of NASU and Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, SSANU President, explained that the strategic change in timing was for effective coordination and for both Unions to be on the same page.

JAC regretted that despite President Bola Tinubu’s approval for 50 percent of the four months’ withheld salaries to be paid, the alleged inaction of the Minister of Finance raised questions about the government’s commitment to resolving the issue.

According to the circular, “It is on record that the JAC of NASU and SSANU has issued multiple notices to the government to redress this ugly situation. However, the sincerity of the government to our cause is in doubt.

“However, the Trade Group Council Meeting of NASU branches in the Universities and Inter-University Centres has been scheduled to hold on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th October 2024 at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, and the arrangements for the meeting already concluded.

“In view of this, the leadership of JAC has decided that the effective date for the strike be moved to midnight of Sunday, 27th October 2024, to allow the Branch Officers of NASU to be on ground before commencing the strike.

“We had to do this strategic change in timing for effective coordination and for both Unions to be on the same page.

“We express our deepest appreciation for your steadfast commitment to the leadership and we affirm our determination to persist in this struggle until ultimate victory is secured.”

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Education

Reps Commend Bayelsa On TETFUND Projects

The House of Representatives Committee on Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and Other Services has said funds released for projects in tertiary institutions in Bayelsa State were being judiciously utilised.

Chairman of the committee, Princess Miriam Odinaka Onuoha, stated this during a courtesy visit to Governor Douye Diri at the Government House, Yenagoa, on Friday.

Hon. Onuoha, who was accompanied by other members of the committee, said they were in the state to measure the level of compliance on projects executed with funds received from TETFUND.

She commended the state for accessing most of the funds earmarked for tertiary education projects and that the committee will make a case for more funds for Bayelsa as they were impressed with the judicious use of the monies received.

She expressed the willingness of her committee to provide technical support to the state and work closely with the government to ensure that funds due the state were accessed and properly utilised.

The committee chairman stated that so far, tertiary institutions in Bayelsa have received about N10 billion while the state is yet to access about one billion naira.

She appreciated the governor for being a good ambassador of the National Assembly, saying she was impressed with the level of development of the state.

In his remarks, Governor Diri hailed the impact of TETFUND on public universities across the country, noting that the federal agency was filling the gaps that would have existed in the educational institutions.

Senator Diri stated that TETFUND was dear to the government of Bayelsa given its impact on the education sector and the agency deserved all the support and collaboration it can get.

The Bayelsa helmsman directed the relevant officers to ensure that funds meant for the state are accessed as soon as possible before they are mopped up by the federal government.

He equally appreciated the committee for the visit, which he said will afford them the opportunity to see the terrain, stressing that unlike other states, construction was very expensive in Bayelsa.

He said: “We are happy with TETFUND. With what you are doing in the country, you are filing the gaps that would have existed in tertiary institutions.

“In Bayelsa, we have used funds due us well. I am surprised to hear that we have one billion naira yet to be accessed. I am happy you said more will be given to us because we have used what we received well.

“Our terrain here is different. We spend more on construction and it is good that you are going for oversight. You will see why we ask for more. I can assure you that my officials will do the needful to access funds left so that they will not be mopped up.

“Let me also assure you that this government is prepared to work with the Federal Government. We have gone beyond the borders of partisanship and we are running an all-inclusive government, which we believe the president is also doing.”

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