The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, made this known in a statement he issued on Sunday.

He said when deployed for commuter service, the buses will significantly reduce transportation costs in the country, bringing hope for a more affordable and efficient public transport system.

The handover of the buses took place on Sunday at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary, Onanuga said.

According to him, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, led the government delegation that included the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, and the Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande.

Edun described the distribution of the buses as fulfilling President Bola Tinubu’s promise to provide affordable and efficient transportation to support Nigerians after the removal of fuel subsidies under the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas, PCNGi.

He emphasised that the initiative aimed to alleviate the burden on the poor and vulnerable and support macroeconomic reforms that would position the country on the path to economic stability.

The minister further explained that the symbolic handover of 64 buses on the eve of Nigeria’s National Day marked the beginning of a broader national rollout, with the plan to distribute over 500 CNG buses and 100 electric vehicles in the first instance.

He added that the CNG initiative aligned with Nigeria’s commitment to cleaner energy while leveraging its energy resources for industrialisation.

”Today marks another critical milestone in the policies of President Tinubu. It is a transition to cleaner fuel. It is for Nigerians. The emphasis is on mass transit. The minister said there is an emphasis on intervening on the side of workers so that they have cheaper transport to cope with rising prices.

He also highlighted the CNG initiative’s impact on inflation, saying: ”We’ve had an initial spike in inflation, now it has peaked, and it is coming down. Mr President and the whole team are determined to ensure that we keep inflation coming down, and this is one of the major ways.”

The Coordinating Minister of the Economy noted that the fuel cost for CNG-powered vehicles was about one-third of the fuel for petrol-powered vehicles.

He said motorists could pay as low as N15,000 to fill a tank instead of N50,000 or more.

”Today, it is CNG. Tomorrow, it will be helping farmers to cope with the remainder of the wet season planting and then the dry season planting, starting from November, with fertiliser, inputs, seeds, and herbicides.

”This is all to get prices down and get the economy moving again, ” he said.

The Secretary-General and Chief Executive of TUC, Comrade Nuhu Toro; NANS president, Comrade Lucky Emonefe; and the Head of International Desk, NLC, Comrade Uche Ekwe, commended President Tinubu for the gesture.

They called for more CNG buses to be made available to the public.

Toro thanked the president for implementing the N70,000 new national minimum wage.

”This move is a significant step in alleviating the economic burden of Nigerian workers.

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NANS president, Comrade Emonefe, praised the government for its commitment to education and student welfare, citing the provision of a student loan scheme for higher education.

“Nigerian students are happy to be celebrating the 64th anniversary of independence. We are not only happy with the CNG buses; we believe that the current president loves the welfare of students and has shown his commitment to this.”

The NLC representative noted that the benefits of the CNG buses would become more apparent once more buses are deployed across the country.

”If we get more buses, the effect will translate immediately to Nigerians. If people start entering these buses, they will publicise it in the public and their neighbourhood,” he said.

Michael Oluwagbemi, Programme Director/Chief Executive of PCNGi, said that since its establishment one year ago, over 125 conversion centres had been established, compared to the initial seven.

He said investment in the sector had exceeded $175 million, with 12 new mother stations commissioned and 75 more under construction.

Technician training is being ramped up, with 40 new technicians trained weekly. Over 34,000 conversion kits have been ordered, with more than half already distributed.

He said vehicle conversions are taking place at 53 centres in eight states.

He said the centres would be expanded to all the 36 states and the FCT.

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Denja contributed to whatever modest successes we recorded especially at the level of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and later in the larger human rights and pro-democracy movement.

Setting his foot on the ideological soil in the Ilorin axis of the Nigerian Marxist-socialist movement of those days and naturally finding himself in the students circles of same at the Kwara College of Technology and the University of Ilorin respectively, Denja could not but have been one of the foot soldiers and combatants of the battles we waged in the 1980s for independent students’ unionism, non-commercialised education and a Nation freed from the grip-hold of neo-liberal forces. Denja contributed to whatever modest successes we recorded especially at the level of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and later in the larger human rights and pro-democracy movement.

Here is congratulating Comrade Denja Yaq and heartily welcoming him to the sixth floor. As our generation continues to age gracefully, we remain hopeful that we shall see the dawn of a new Nigeria before the eclipse comes.

Denja, many happy returns!

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This is as they described the recent demarketing of the world’s largest single train refinery as the greatest disservice to the nation’s economy.

Speaking after a tour of the refinery on Thursday in Lagos, leaders of the students’ body comprising of those from universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, said it would take an enemy of Nigeria to rubbish the gigantic project that would stop importation of fuel once and for all and save the nation of the scarce forex.

The NANS Senate President, Akinteye Babatunde Afiz, addressing the management of the Dangote Refinery said they had the mandate of Nigerian students to come and assess the situation of the refinery having been told that the refinery was uncompleted and inferior in all standards.

He said: “We had a meeting on the situation in the country vis a vis the uncertainty in the oil and gas industry, especially the current fuel scarcity and we resolved to visit Dangote refinery to see things for ourselves. Having gone round the facility, our heart melted at the humongous size of the refinery.

“We are speaking the minds of all Nigerian students that government should direct all marketers to patronize Dangote refinery and ease the current fuel hardship. If anyone wants to compete with Dangote let them go and build their own. Government has four refineries and they are not working yet they don’t want the one that is available to sell. We will not accept that.

“Dangote refinery has come to stay. We have discovered that all claims being bandied around are false. Our impression is that they never expected the refinery to stand, that is why they are against you. But we are pledging our resolve to stand by you.

“We have seen the refinery laboratory and we could see that it is world class. We can’t allow this type of project that holds great potential for Nigeria’s economy to go down through some people’s disdain for the success of Alhaji Aliko Dangote.”

He then urged the government to do everything possible to support Dangote refinery and protect it from saboteurs.

Earlier, the Vice-President, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, while welcoming the student leaders to the refinery thanked them for the concern for the facility and the resolve to stand for the truth by rejecting monetary inducement.

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He told the students that President Tinubu had intervened and commended the president for the directive for crude to be sold to Dangote refinery in Naira currency, saying it was a good development for all Nigerians.

Edwin said the concern of the students was well placed as all Nigerians should be worried indeed because about 90 per cent of Nigeria forex went into importation of fuel and that Dangote refinery could help solve the problem as 43 per cent of its capacity production could satisfy domestic demand while the remaining will be exported to generate more forex into the country.

Wondering why anyone would want to frustrate the refinery, Edwin noted, “So much has been spent on the government refineries and there was nothing to show for it as they remained moribund.

“What we want to do in Refinery, we have done it in other businesses; Nigeria used to be the biggest importer of Sugar, we came in and changed the narrative. We led the backward integration scheme of the federal government, and we now produce sugar locally for domestic consumption and others have joined us. We did same in Cement by opening up production plant and today Nigeria exports cement to other countries.

“In a business no one was interested in investing into, Dangote delved into it determined to ensure Nigeria no longer imports fuel, invested massively and come up with the world’s largest single train refinery.  He said he would not take his money to Dubai or Swiss banks as others are doing, he decided to invest at home and now they are saying he wants to create monopoly.

“We didn’t ask for any favour other than that we want to buy crude to produce, first they said there was no crude, later they said we would have to pay some dollars above the prevailing crude market price. And this is a global market where you can track crude prices anytime. We resorted to buying crude from Brazil and United States. Later they said we should not be announcing the price of the products.

“Even the US that is the leading proponent of free market economy protects its local industries by imposing huge duty on foreign imports just to protect local industries. This is a man that Saudi Aramco once approached to come and cite his refinery in Saudi Arabia, promising steady supply of crude. Abu Dahbi also invited him to do same on their soil but he rejected insisting he would build at home. Now, he did that and a facility that is supposed to add value to Nigeria’s economy is being frustrated.”

The Dangote Industries boss said the company would continue to focus on its business strategy which is to add value to Nigeria economy through investments and job creation for the teeming Nigerian masses.

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The governor maintained that this is in spite of the fact that Rivers residents had already resolved not to participate in the planned 10 days of nationwide protest scheduled to begin on August 1.

Governor Fubara made the revelation when he addressed representatives of Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, stakeholders of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Rivers State ethnic and youth groups, and Port Harcourt Motor Spare Parts Dealers Union, Ikoku Branch, among others at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

The governor insisted that several public and clandestine activities of the self-styled detractors over the last months were clear indications that Rivers State does have unrepentant enemies who will do everything possible within their means to destabilize the state.

Governor Fubara said: “You are already aware of the political situation of our state where people are looking for every avenue to destabilise this state. We don’t need to give them that opportunity to carry out that act.

“And that is the reason why I, representing the government, and the service commanders, have always been in touch with you all, pleading that we should shelve this protest. And even if you have to do it, we should do it in a way and manner that it will not get out of control.

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“I have information that you don’t have. I am aware of the people that are being hired to come into this state to cause mayhem. If anything happens here, we are going to be the greatest losers. Our property will be destroyed. Our economy will be destroyed. And when they finish, they will go back to their states.

“Look at what has happened in Kenya. It will take them another 20 years to rebuild those things that are being destroyed. In Rivers State, we are not that financially buoyant to now start retrogressing where we have already passed. Instead of maintaining and increasing what we have, we will be thinking of rebuilding, if destroyed. Let us not allow it happen.”

Governor Fubara acknowledged the prevailing economic hardship that Nigerians were facing but quickly added that the federal government, under President Bola Tinubu, was taking believable actions that were geared towards addressing the current hardship and securing a better future for the people.

The governor urged the activists to look at all the angles to the reasons proferred by the organisers of the planned protest so that they did not just embrace it to please persons who were aggrieved because the system did not favour them.

Governor Fubara pointed to steps administration had taken to meet the expectations and address challenges of Rivers residents while also supporting what the federal government was doing.

Briefing newsmen on the decision taken after the security council meeting with service commanders at Government House in Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara said they are aware of the planned 10-day protest beginning from August 1, saying that everything was being done to contain it.

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The National President of NANS, Lucky Emonefe, disclosed this in a meeting with the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, in Abuja on Friday.

The meeting was led by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Sunday Asefon.

Emonefe acknowledged the significant hardship being experienced by citizens across the country due to the implementation of recent reforms and policies by the government.

He said the measures, though aimed at steering the nation towards sustainable development, had undoubtedly brought about economic challenges that had impacted every Nigerian household.

Emonefe urged President Bola Tinubu to put mechanism in place to alleviate the hunger among Nigerians as a result of hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy in 2023.

“We want to say that there is hunger in the land and Nigerian students are most affected. We are aware that palliatives were given to governors.

“We are saying that as the government is distributing palliatives, they should remember the student constituencies.

“Though we have challenges but we want to say that we have resolved to be law abiding and not to join any chaos in the society,” he said.

Earlier, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, acknowledged the rising cost of living in the country.

Mamman said that the government had been rolling out palliatives and measures to cushion the hardship on Nigerians.

According to him, the federal government had launched an expanded transformative scholarship programme, aimed at supporting the education of 45,000 students across the country.

READ ALSO: I have no cabal or sponsors to compensate -Tinubu

Mamman said the initiative highlighted the federal government’s commitment to broaden educational access and advancing the academic and professional growth of Nigerian youth.

Additionally, Mamman outlined the key initiatives of President Bola Tinubu, including improvements in campus infrastructure, and welfare packages for unemployed graduates.

Others, he said, were consideration of discounted electricity bills for universities, and curriculum updates covering all sectors of education under the DOTS Project.

“The DOTS framework aims to enhance educational data management, support and development for teachers, skills infusion, and training from primary through tertiary education.

“The government is also focusing on integrating out-of-school children back into the education system and supporting job-seeking graduates.

“Furthermore, the federal government has established Safe School Centres to ensure the safety of students,” he said.

He urged all state governors to ensure that schools were connected to the safe school centres for students’ protection.

Source: NAN

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If there is any concrete solution to the plethora of problems confronting the economic and general growth of Nigeria, it is the eradication of corruption.  Although, like the crime that it is, it cannot be totally wiped out, a reduction of it to the barest minimum will go a long way in helping the society grow and making life better for all. This is so because, to a reasonable extent, the poor leadership that has often been blamed for the poor or non-existent level of development of the country is an allusion to the high level of corruption those at the leadership cadre of the country are found to be culpable of. This is, however, not to say that corruption is the exclusive of the leadership. The scourge has permeated the society such that the so called followers are equally guilty of the same crime, but at a different level.

An idea of the level of corruption in the society is captured in the figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics indicating that a whopping N721bn was received as bribe by Nigerian public officials in 2023.

The report reads in part: “According to the 2023 survey, the average cash bribe paid was 8,284 Nigerian Naira.

“While the nominal average cash bribe size increased since 2019 (from NGN 5,754), this does not account for inflation. The inflation-adjusted average cash bribe in 2023 was 29 per cent smaller than in 2019 in terms of what could be bought with the money.

“Overall, it is estimated that a total of roughly NGN 721 billion (US$1.26 billion) was paid in cash bribes to public officials in Nigeria in 2023, corresponding to 0.35 per cent of the entire Gross Domestic Product of Nigeria.”

Much as anyone may be amazed at the level of corruption as shown in the statistics, it would not be wrong to say that the National Bureau of Statistics is obviously not saying anything new. The history of gross corruption has been with Nigerians over the years and so much has been mouthed about efforts to curb the menace. Reason, therefore, that former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, decided to set up the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Following the EFCC Establishment Act which was first enacted in 2002, the anti-graft agency came into existence in 2003, and was saddled with the responsibility of investigating financial crimes such as advance fee fraud, otherwise referred to as 419, and money laundering among others. The agency has been headed at different times by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Farida Waziri; Ibrahim Lamorde Ibrahim Magu and Abudrasheed Bawa before the present chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, who was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on October 12, 2023.

Given the expected effective discharge of its duties, the Nigerian society is supposed to have been, to a reasonable extent rescued from the grip of the corruption that has continued to underdevelop the nation.  But has that target for which the agency been set up been adequately met? No! Much as several feats have been achieved and individuals, organisations, public and political office holders have been held, prosecuted, jailed and shamed over corrupt practices, it definitely cannot be said to be “uhuru” yet. It is perhaps in apparent consciousness of this fact that the current chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has taken up the challenge to make a difference, with some of his actions which are hinged on well-defined strategies, are actually showing good promise.

Unveiling his strategies in the fight against corruption, for example, at the 14th Commonwealth Regional Conference and Annual General Meeting of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa, held in Accra, Ghana, on Monday, May 6, 2024, Olukoyede spoke about a holistic approach, integrating preventive measures, technological innovations, and international collaboration. In his presentation titled, “EFCC Anti-Corruption Drive: Changing the Narrative,” he highlighted EFCC’s preventive initiatives, including Anti-Corruption Clubs in Schools and Faith-Based Approaches, along with measures targeting economic stability such as combating forex malpractices. He also spoke about the important role of technology, citing tools like the Eagle Eye App for whistleblowing and the Commission’s Forensic Laboratory. Olukoyede gladly announced at the occasion, the efficacy of the strategies of the agency under his leadership and the remarkable fruits they had yield barely six months of his leadership.

Olukoyede’s leadership has seen the EFCC becoming quite active and hell bent on nipping corruption in the bud. One thing that has become apparent about him is the emphasis on the need for the people of the country to fight the battle and not leave it alone for the anti-graft agency. In this instance, his call for effective use of whistle blowing is unmistakable. Leading the road walk by the staff of the EFCC on the occasion of the Africa Anti-Corruption Day in Abuja on July 11, he described whistle-blowing as a very good tool.

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His words: “Aside terrorism, corruption ranks as the next deadliest affliction of humanity in every region of the world.

“In view of the danger and threat to our existence which corruption represents, it is imperative that individuals, communities, corporate bodies and indeed the whole world join hands to tackle it frontally.

“There is need for commitment, passion, consistence and credibility of intelligence.  Every whistle blown must point towards truth and evidential proofs.”

“One way of doing this is through the whistle-blowing initiative”.

Expressing the need for commitment to the battle, he added, “We cannot win the war against corruption through lip service, emotional outburst or mere mob campaigns.

“There is need for commitment, passion, consistence and credibility of intelligence.  Every whistle blown must point towards truth and evidential proofs.”

Also seizing the opportunity of the visit of representatives of the National Associateion of Nigerian Students, NANS, to the EFCC’s headquarters, Abuja, on a solidarity visit, on Monday, July 8, Olukoyode urged students to join forces with the agency to ensure a brighter future for them.

“It is a collective responsibility to fight corruption in Nigeria. EFCC will not relent, I promise you that whatever it is going to cost us to fight this fight we will fight it.  As Nigerian Students, you have a future and it is our responsibility to protect you to ensure that you successfully run through your educational system and pass out and get a good job,” he said.

He also spoke on the need to hold people, especially leaders, accountable for whatever they do, saying that would ensure a better society.

Said he: “There is nothing personal about it; what we are saying is we must be able to hold people accountable. If you have spent eight years, four years, even if it is one year, by the time you come out, the position you are holding is a position of trust on behalf of all Nigerians. So, what we are simply saying is that when you finish, come, we want you to explain how you spent our common wealth while you were in the office.”

If the gestures, postulations, declarations and actions of the EFCC under the new leadership is anything to go by, Nigeria is definitely wont to achieve good results in the fight against corruption in the years ahead. Olukoyede’s commitment, as seen so far, appears very strong and driven by the need to kill corruption before it kills Nigerians. Remember he said that much recently. According to him, “Aside terrorism, corruption ranks as the next deadliest affliction of humanity in every region of the world.

“In view of the danger and threat to our existence which corruption represents, it is imperative that individuals, communities, corporate bodies and indeed the whole world join hands to tackle it frontally.”

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Odedeji stated this while receiving the President of the National Association of Nigeria Students, NANS, Comrade Pedro Chibuzor Obi in his office.

The Rector said, Prince Dapo Abiodun’s timely intervention to rescue and resuscitate MAPOLY after a two-year stagnation resulting from the policy of the last administration had helped many secondary school leavers to have quality tertiary education.

According to him, “the continuous support of the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration to the management of the institution since 2019, had been responsible for the resuscitation of the culture of academic excellence which had in the past produced the likes of former governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, FCA and current Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr. Oluwatoyin Shakirat Madein amongst others.”

He narrated the relief brought by the state government to the polytechnic community on the rehabilitation of Oloke-MAPOLY Road, donation of 11 KVA Transformer, and water project among others.”

Odedeji explained that regular financial support and intervention had greatly promoted industrial harmony among the management, staff and students thereby ensuring smooth academic activities.

The Rector also used the medium to assure students of smooth academic session, saying the management had put in place structures to ensure uninterrupted academic activities in the current 2023/2024 session.

He assured students expected to be mobilised for the next batch of corps members into the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, adding that the first batch list would be duly released.

“We have put in place structures to ensure the smooth running of the academic calendar, we have not less than 100 PhD holders academic staff, if not for the regulations of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), we can run Bachelor Degree in Technology (B.Tech).”

“We are focusing on skill development programmes as additional certification for students here on completion of their academic programmes,” Odedeji stated.

The Rector, in the presence of his Deputy, Dr. (Mrs) Yetunde Lanre-Iyanda; Registrar, Mrs Olubunmi Elewodalu; Bursar, Mr Fatai Yekini, Director of Students Affairs, Dr Amos Kolawole and other principal officers, added that the newly constructed Skill Development Centre was well equipped with the N30 million from TETFUND, to train students on additional vocational skills in plumbing, welding and repairs of GSM phones.

He disclosed that the Polytechnic in partnership with CISCO and Huawei Technology run Information Communication Technology (ICT) programmes to provide both staff and students with the required digital training.

The president of NANS, accompanied by Senate President of the association, Comrade Elvis Segun Ekundina, MAPOLY Students Union Government’s President, Comrade Hezekiah Adelola Babatunde, NANS, Ogun JCC chairman, Comrade Adeyanju Francis Experience, and other top leaders had earlier explained that the visit was to appreciate the efforts of the management of institution in ensuring stability in the running of the academic activities on the campus.

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Obi added the visit was part of his ongoing familiarisation tour to campuses across the country since his assumption of office as leader of NANS in December 2023, to minimise the crisis between management and student movement on campuses which often led to loss of time and resources as a result of unresolved issues

He explained that the purpose of such a familiarisation tour was to meet with the management of tertiary institutions and be able to resolve amicably, such issues affecting students, particularly their welfare on campuses before the escalation of such matters which might be more difficult to handle.

“We are here to appreciate what the management of MAPOLY under the leadership of the Rector, Dr Adeoye Odedeji, has been doing for students. We decided to visit various campuses since being elected as National President of NANS in December 2023, to prevent crisis and establish a cordial relationship between students union governments and management of tertiary institutions, with the main aim of minimising crisis on our campuses,” Pedro stated.

Other student leaders on the visit included National Association of Ogun State Students President, Kehinde Thomas, Ogun State Stakeholders Forum Chairman, Kehinde Damilola Simeon and Ogun State Stakeholders Secretary General, Ogunrobi Oluwagbemileke.

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Recall that the hike in obligatory fees by the institution had attracted a lot of uproar by students of the institution, leading to peaceful protests by some students who stormed the university environs chanting songs and displaying placards on several occasions in the past week.

The university had in a statement in August put mandatory charges for new undergraduate students at  N126, 325, for courses without laboratory/studio, for one academic session.

It also indicated N176,325 as mandatory charges for one academic session for courses with laboratory and studio.

A further breakdown of the approved mandatory charges for one academic year or session for returning students showed that they would pay N100,750 for courses without laboratory and studio.

The approved mandatory charges for courses with laboratory and studio, according to the statement is N140,250.

The university put approved charges for all medical students of the institution at N190,250.

It noted that utility charges of N20,000 were to be paid by all undergraduate students, while N30,000 was to be paid by all final year students.

UNILAG management attributed the hike to the need for students to get the best learning experience.

Addressing newsmen immediately after the meeting late on Thursday evening, the vice-chancellor of the university, Prof. Folashade Ogunsola, expressed satisfaction at the  outcome of the deliberations.

She noted that the role of dialogue in resolving issues could not be over-emphasised.

READ ALSO: Sanwo-Olu swears in 37 commissioners, special advisers

“We just had a roundtable discussion with our faculty presidents and the NANS leadership and we also had the NANS president come into Lagos.

“We also had the NANS Southwest leaders and that of the Lagos chapter. It was a very fruitful deliberation. Like everything, once you start something, you come back to the table to discuss and we are always listening to our students.

“When we heard loud and clear that they really wanted a reduction in fees, we felt it was important that we listened to that.

“And so, right now, management and the NANS have worked through how we could reduce, in a way that will not hurt the university, but we will make it a little better for parents and students alike.

“For returning students, we have agreed to take away N20,000 across board,” the vice chancellor stated.

Giving a further breakdown of the outcome of the meeting, Ogunsola explained that rather than pay N100,000 as stipulated earlier, returning students would now pay N80,000 per annum.

She said that those with laboratory would now pay N120,000, as against the N140,000.

Ogunsola said that those in the medical field would be paying N170,000, as against the N190,000 initially announced.

“We also took a little bit off the utilities. This will hurt us though, because bills are high. But we also recognise the prevailing circumstances and so this development is a concession to the prevailing circumstances, because when we fixed these bills, it was before the subsidy removal.

“Since then, it became clear that things are not getting any better and so, we also took a little away from the utility bills, which is coming down from the initial N20,000 to N15,000 and also took out N3,000 from the convocation bills.

“For the incoming students, we slashed N10,000 from their fees each, because when we fixed these bills, it was based on data, it wasn’t just arbitrary and we already had moderations of these bills,” she noted.

According to her, some of the incoming students are paying in installments and therefore, with the slash, it will reduce what they will pay the next round.

She noted that for those who had paid fully, the institution would probably carry over the slash as credit, or look of means of giving them back but was yet to decide on it.

“What management had at the time the bills were brought out, I will say, has been moderated at least three times. Again, we also saw from the expenses that it was a bit hard to pass it on at once, so, it has come down extensively, as we always listen.

“We know with it, we will struggle, we have to keep struggling but at least right now, it is better than what we had before,” Ogunsola stated.

She added that another thing that was discussed at the meeting was the issue of the N25,000 that the students had been paying per annum for the past 15 years, which amounted to 208 dollars.

“Now, the 100,000 we are asking for per annum is 107. So, in real terms, the buying power of N100,000 is about 59 per cent of what N25,000 was, 15 years ago. So, it is really because we had the fall of the Naira, which made it seem like an increase,” she explained.

She added that at the end of the deliberations on the fees, the parties came out smiling without any having exactly what they wanted but that they were all happy.

The vice-chancellor touched on the issue of the return of the Student Union Government, SUG, president,  as another area that was delved into by the student leaders.

According to her, management had before now, been giving the issue a critical consideration.

She said: “Students have been agitating for the return of the SUG president on our campus and this is one thing management has been considering, even though we were not considering it right now.

“We will start the process toward bringing it back, we will still have to go back to the Senate.”

Ogunsola commended the efforts of the NANS president in ensuring that the issue was settled amicably, adding that he showed sincerity of purpose.

She also lauded the other student representatives and faculty presidents for their show of maturity while the deliberations lasted.

On his part, the NANS president, Usman Barambu, emphasised the need for SUGs in universities, where there are none, adding that with such bodies on ground, issues concerning students were quickly tackled before they got to an undesirable level.

He also urged the SUGs where they exist, to always ensure they carry students along whenever there were issues to be addressed with management.

“We have reached agreement with the university management that they are going to return the SUG, which is a very big plus to us as students. If we had such on ground here, I would not have had need to come down here now, unless they finish all the negotiations.

“But because there is none, that is why we have to be here.

“Right now, we have also been able to ensure that the utility bills are brought down to N15,000, while the convocation fee has come down to N27,000.

“We also succeeded in bringing down the hostel fees to N43,000 as against the initial N90,000, the medical hostel at the College of Medicine, Idi-araba to N65,000 from the initial N120,000

“The fees for the Sodeinde Hostel here on campus too was also reduced from N250,000 to N135,000,” he said.

He urged the federal government to also be responsive to the yearnings of the country’s youth by ensuring that it paid attention to the health, education and agricultural sectors.

“Having removed fuel subsidy, we expect government to invest more in education and ensure that we get quality and affordable education,” he noted.

Source: NAN

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The school this week imposed N50,000 charges on fees it earlier increased to N140,000 and above.

This happens to be the latest in a series of fee hikes under the administration of the current Vice Chancellor Professor Folasade Ogunsola, who happens to be the school’s first female head, appointed October 2020.

In addition, the school has increased accommodation fees for undergraduates to about 400 per cent, from N25,000 to N100,000, while medical students would pay N120,000.

The new increments join the ones of July 20 when the university raised fees by about 900 per cent,

Instead of last session’s N19,000, UNILAG now charges N190,250 for students studying Medicine, while courses requiring laboratory and studio facilities need students to pay N140,250.

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, July ending wrote the management of UNILAG to reverse the initial increments.

Students and their parents are already groaning, complaining and kicking against the new fees.

Some have expressed doubts about the assurances that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu gave to Nigerians that tuition in universities remained free.

READ ALSO: No federal university is allowed to charge tuition fees -FG

According to the newly released charges, the school has added for final-year students in the Arts and Social Sciences faculties:

• Utility Charge –N20,000
• Undergraduate Convocation Fee –N30,000
• Undergraduate Obligatory Fee –N140,250.

The National Association of Nigerian Students Joint Campus Council, NANS JCC, Lagos State, had declared a protest last week against the hike in UNILAG school fees, but for the intervention of the Commissioner of Police, Mr Idowu Owohunwa.

The Police Commissioner also set up a Police-Student Relations Committee, PSRC, to address issues that might arise from the meeting in the future.

However, it is not clear how NANS JCC would react to the new increases.

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Speaking in his office at State House when he received the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, the president declared that poverty should not be a barrier to education, emphasising the transformative power of education in combating poverty.

”If we all believe that education is the greatest weapon against poverty then we have to invest in it.

”Poverty should not prevent anybody, any child, including the daughter or son of a wood seller, ‘boli’ (plantain) seller or yam seller from attaining their highest standard of education, to eliminate poverty.

”If you eliminate poverty from one family, you can carry the rest of the weight. ”

President Tinubu, who promised to consider the requests of the NANS leaders, urged the students’ body to ensure unity among its members across the country to achieve more.

”You have to promote unity and stability among each other. You have to employ democratic means in your programmes and elections. I have to say anyone who is unable to accept and celebrate a free and fair election, does not deserve the joy of victory,” he admonished.

The president expressed his appreciation for the students’ support of the removal of subsidy on petrol, explaining the reasons behind the decision and the need to curb smuggling.

”I’m glad you understand the reason for the subsidy removal. We were at a point where Nigeria tried to draw water from a dry well and that is no longer acceptable and we equally must not continue to service the smugglers because they used to take our tankers and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) across the borders.  We will put our money where our mouth is,” he said.

Earlier, leader of the delegation, Umar Barambu, said NANS leaders had come to thank the president over the signing into law of the Student Loan Bill, which will provide loans to indigent students such that no Nigerian student in tertiary institution would drop out of school over inability to pay school fees.

The bill, sponsored by former House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, was signed into law by President Tinubu on Monday, June 12, which is Democracy Day.

“We are here to congratulate you and to thank you for what you have been doing to the country since you assumed responsibility as the president.  We want to equally thank you for the Students Loan Bill,” Barambu said.

Declaring the students’ support on the removal of fuel subsidy, the NANS president said:

”It takes a great person to take that bold step of removing the subsidy on petrol. Some people contacted us to protest against that decision, but we said no!

”The well is dry and ‘Baba’ cannot give what we don’t have now. We have to accept reality and face that challenge squarely so that together we can rescue the country. Today we are saying ‘yes’ to fuel subsidy removal and we will stand with that decision.”

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