Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Sen. Muntari Dandutse, made this known after a meeting with the union at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

Dandutse, while acknowledging “the concerns and frustrations” that had led to the action, assured that the committee would take the issues raised by ASUU seriously.

“This is because we recognise the critical role that our universities play in shaping the future of our nation and we are committed to ensuring that they receive the support they need to thrive.

“We are not in support of any academic strike; we are not in support of any threat by the executives.

“We are here as those who are elected to oversight you and ensure that you work effectively and efficiently.

“If you look at the situation in Nigeria, it has been a long issue and a prolonged issue of ASUU strike.

“We need to address it holistically and it will do us well at the end of the process. So we want you to understand that we are all here to be accountable,” the senator said.

READ ALSO: Nigeria’s inflation falls to 18.02%, lowest level in three years

After a closed-door session, Dandutse said that the committee resolved to convey its position to the Ministry of Education and National Universities Commission, NUC.

“This is for a negotiation as soon as possible so that we can resolve this lingering problem.

“The senate committee also agreed to interface with the Minister of FCT to resolve the issue of University of Abuja’s land which was not taken from them.

“Also, other needs will be studied and appropriate steps will be taken to ensure amicable resolution,” he said.

Earlier, the ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, said that the union was currently on a two-week warning strike.

“Unfortunately, the journey that led us to where we are today did not start with this executive,” he said.

The ASUU president said that the key issue in the draft agreement was that of sustainable funding for tertiary institutions.

“Others are: condition of service, autonomy and academic freedom in Nigerian universities as well as other issues that concern the governance of the institutions,” he said.

Piwuna also called on the senate to intervene in the land belonging to University of Abuja but which the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had allegedly revoked.

“We need to deal with this problem. In spite of the several calls and releases by our union, our branch in University of Abuja, the minister is still determined to go ahead and take the land of the university,” he said.

The ASUU president urged the senate to pay more attention to the budgetary allocation to the education sector to better the lot of the institutions.

In an interview with newsmen, Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, said that the upper chamber would do everything possible to resolve the lingering crisis as soon as possible.

“Education, as I always said, is the bedrock of every society, and we cannot afford to leave our children, who are mostly in the public universities, to stay at home,” he stated.

Barau noted that President Bola Tinubu, at all times, was willing to make sure that whatever constitute an impediment to the country’s education system, was resolved as soon as possible.

“The president, I’m sure, is working round the clock to make sure that this matter is resolved,” he said.

Source: NAN

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As dignitaries, academic staff, and parents gathered to mark the occasion, Dr. Abdul-Hameed commended the newly admitted students for their hard work and commitment, emphasizing that their journey had only just begun. “You have earned your place here through sheer determination,” he stated, reaffirming the Polytechnic’s commitment to providing quality education and skills essential for the workforce.

Reflecting on the institution’s rapid growth since its inception in March 2021, Dr. Abdul-Hameed noted that Federal Polytechnic Ayede has quickly become a leading choice for students seeking technical and vocational education. Thriving amidst challenges, the Polytechnic now offers 12 accredited National Diploma programs, with plans for expansion that include the anticipated launch of the Office Technology and Management program.

READ ALSO: Church confirms release of kidnapped Catholic priest in Imo

To support students’ educational endeavors, the Polytechnic has initiated a financial aid scheme, benefiting 44 students through the NELFUND loan program. Dr. Abdul-Hameed expressed hope for greater funding opportunities, aiming to assist more students in future disbursements.

The Rector underscored the institution’s commitment to faculty development, highlighting various training opportunities, sponsorships for higher education, and continuous professional development initiatives. “A well-trained faculty is the cornerstone of academic excellence,” he added, reiterating the importance of investing in the staff who will mentor the next generation of leaders.

Dr. Abdul-Hameed also addressed recent unsettling reports regarding the safety of the Polytechnic’s infrastructure, firmly stating, “I categorically refute the misleading media claims about a building collapse. Our students are safe, and necessary repairs are underway.” His comments sought to reassure parents and stakeholders of the institution’s unflinching focus on student welfare and safety.

In his conclusion, Dr. Abdul-Hameed encouraged the new students to embrace the values of discipline and innovation, asserting that their time at Federal Polytechnic Ayede would equip them with the skills required to make a meaningful impact in society. He urged the staff and stakeholders to remain committed to the Polytechnic’s mission, pledging to further elevate the institution among Nigeria’s premier polytechnics.

As the day unfolded, dignitaries from surrounding institutions and traditional leaders at the event includes, Aresa-Pupa of Iresa-Pupa, Oba Moses Olayiwola Ajiboye JP, Ajiboye III; Rector, Federal Polytechnic Ede, Engr.  Dr. Sani Man Yahya, represented by Deputy Rector (Academics), Alhaji I. A. Lawal; Rector, Federal Polytechnic Offa, Engr. Dr. Kadiri Kamoru Oluwatoyin represented by Deputy Rector (Academics), Dr. Mrs. Mulikatu Aliu; Provosts of Federal College of Education, Iwo, Prof. R. A. Adebayo represented by the Registrar, Alhaji Yusuf Aderibigbe; Prof. Dayo Shobowale, the Proprietor of DABOS Polytechnic, Osogbo, Osun State and former Deputy Rector (Academics) at Federal Polytechnic Ede, Dr. I. A. Adelabu, all congregated to celebrate this milestone, reinforcing the spirit of collaboration and support in Nigeria’s educational landscape.

With renewed determination and aspirations, Federal Polytechnic Ayede looks forward to shaping competent professionals ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow while continuing its journey of growth and excellence.

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Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, made the order after Osuobeni Akponimisingha, counsel for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, moved a motion ex-parte to the effect.

Justice Nwite, who granted the motion, also directed the commission to publish the notice in a national daily for interested person(s) to show cause why the cash and the vehicle should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.

The judge adjourned the matter until February 20 for report of compliance.

The money and the vehicle, allegedly said to be proceeds of unlawful activities, were linked to Paul Chukwuma, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fides Et Ratio Academy Limited.

In the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1982/V/2024 and filed by the ICPC Chairman himself, Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN; Chukwuma, Prof Dr Klaus Stierstorfer, and Fides Et Ratio Academy Limited we sued as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively.

Aliyu, in the motion, sought an order temporarily forfeiting the sum of 378,000 dollars being funds restricted vide Post No Debit Order placed in the Zenith Bank Account of Fides Et Ratio Academy Limited-5074703084.

He also sought an order “temporarily forfeiting the movable property to wit: MERCEDES BENZ GLS 600 MAYBACH” to Federal Government.

Besides, he prayed the court for an order directing the commission to publish a notice in any national newspaper for interested person(s) to show cause why the said property should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Aliyu further sought an order directing the anti-corruption commission to open an escrow (interest yielding) account with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, in the name of the ICPC and Fides Et Ratio Academy Limited in respect of the alleged $378,000.00.

Giving 10 grounds why the application should be granted, the ICPC chair said the victims of the alleged crime of the respondents is the Federal Government of Nigeria and its citizens who honestly and diligently pay their taxes as and when due.

He said the alleged unlawful activities of the respondents had continued to cause untold hardship on honest Nigerians, especially, students of tertiary institutions.

According to him, without an order of this honourable court, the applicant cannot legally recover the alleged moveable property already restricted vide Post-No-Debit Order into the commission’s recovery account domiciled with CBN for proper use for the benefit of honest Nigerians.

Idris Abubakar, a litigation officer, Legal Services Department, ICPC, in the affidavit he deposed to, said the commission received a petition alleging that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) allegedly made payment to a contractor for unexecuted project.

He said during the investigation, it was discovered that TETFund entered into a memorandum of understanding with two companies to provide ICT services to tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

He, however, alleged that TETFund jettisoned the conditions given by the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, and went ahead to engage Fides Et Ratio Academy Limited.

READ ALSO: EFCC dismisses 27 officers over alleged fraudulent activities

Abubakar averred “that TETFund, through its Executive Secretary and under the hand of the Honourable Minister for Education, secured approval in the sums of N8,600,000,000.00; N3,550,000,000.00 and N3,100,000,000.00, and guidelines for ICT support services for universities, polytechnics and colleges of education from the then president, President Mohammadu i Buhari, GCFR.”

He said following the approval of the sums and guidelines, TETFund under the hand of its ICT Director, Joseph Odo, wrote a letter to all vice chancellors, rectors and provosts of public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education requesting for their readiness to commit 50 per cent of their ICT support intervention funds to the programme.

“TETFund, in flagrant disregard for extant procurement procedures, received proposal from Fides Et Ratio Academy Limited for capacity building ICT related course for the public universities, polytechnics and colleges: of education,” he said.

The officer said the academy was engaged to provide the services in two phases to the institutions vide a letter dated May 22, 2023.

According to him, the services to be provided by Fides Et Ratio Academy Limited was divided into two categories of online and physical.

He said the total cost implication under Category 1 (Online) was N3, 072, 000, 000 (three billion seventy-two million).

He said in Category II, the total cost implication was N740, 500, 000 (seven hundred and forty million, five hundred thousand naira).

He said total cost implication for Category 1 (Online) plus Category 2 (Physical) was N3, 813, 500, 000. 00 (three billion, eight hundred and twelve million, five hundred thousand naira).

Abubakar, however, alleged that the academy only trained 391 participants out of 502 participants under Category 2 (Physical).

He said the company also admitted receiving full and final payment for Category 2 in a document captioned: “Details of Total Payment Received” dated June 19, 2024, despite the evidence showing that the company only trained 391 out of 502.

Besides, he alleged that the academy received final and full payment for Category 1 (Online) from TETFund to the tune of over one billion naira without executing any work to justify the payment.

He added that evidence from beneficiary tertiary institutions revealed that the company did not carry out any online training activity in their institutions.

He said the MD/CEO of the company, Chukwuma, also made extra-judicial statements to the ICPC in the course of investigation explaining his own side of the story.

Abubakar also gave analysis of Fides Et Ratio Academy Limited account domiciled with Fidelity Bank and how monies were received in tranches.

He said on June 30, 2023, the sum of N550,380,780.23 was received from TETFund by the academy.

He said from the amount, Chukwuma made some transfers, including a deposit of N150, 000, 000.00 (one hundred and fifty million naira) on July 13, 2023, to Globe Motors Holdings Nig. Ltd for the purchase of one unit of Mercedes Benz GLS 600 Maybach for the academy.

Again, he alleged that on July 26, 2023, the sum of N1,503,743,850.00 was received from TETFund, and from the sum, Chukwuma made some transfers, including the sum of N150, 000, 000.00 sent to Globe Motors Holdings Nig. Ltd, for another deposit for the purchase of one unit of Mercedes Benz GLS 600 Maybach.

“For the over N300 million transferred to Globe Motors Holdings Nig. Ltd, Mr Paul Chukwuma claimed he had communication with his international partner, Prof. Dr. Klaus Stierstorfer, on the need to buy a car for Fides Et Ratio Academy Limited.

“In this regard, he presented to the ICPC investigators two separate written communications he had with Prof Stierstorfer,” he said.

The officer alleged that when the ICPC investigators requested Chukwuma to provide them with information on how to get across to Stierstorfer, the effort was unsuccessful till date.

According to him, the applicant, ICPC, is still on the trail of Prof. Dr. Klaus Stierstorfer, with a view to get him to clarify some of the claims of Mr. Paul Chukwuma.

The officer, who said that the application was brought in the interest of justice, said the respondents would not be prejudiced if the request was granted.

Source: NAN

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The governor stated this during the 2024 TETFUND Management Retreat in Calabar, Cross Rivers State.

Otu,  represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, maintained that without TETFUND intervention impact, he wondered how the university education would have been, adding that “higher education in the country cannot be without TETFUND.”

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He employed TETFUND to use the retreat to remain resolute in its commitment  and dedication towards making higher education in the country one of the best in the continent.

He maintained that the state government remained committed to partnering the Fund to improve education in the state.

TETFUND’s Executive Secretary, Architect Sonny Echono, in his remarks said through collaboration with the Board and the Minister for Education, the Fund had been able to upscale and reform interventions to render them more responsive to the needs of students, scholars and other stakeholders in line with President Bola Tinubu’s expectations.

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As a former member of the Governing Council of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State (2016-2018), I can testify that the major projects we were able to accomplish were the projects funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).

TETFUND also sponsored many of the university’s staff, academic and non-academic, for continuous training abroad.  For a state-owned university, which also witnessed the era of zero subvention from its owners, the state government, one could have imagined what would have been the fate of TASUED without TETFUND.

It was the same situation when I served as a Member of the Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, Akwa-Ibom State. All the major capital projects at the Ukanna main campus of the polytechnic were funded by TETFUND.

This is actually the reality in all the tertiary institutions in Nigeria today. TETFUND has remained the bedrock of infrastructural development for the colleges of education, polytechnics and universities owned by both the federal and state governments.

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) was originally established as Education Tax Fund (ETF) by the Act No. 7 of 1993 as amended by Act No. 40 of 1998 (now repealed and replaced with Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Establishment, Etc.) Act No. 16 of 2011. It is an intervention agency set up to provide supplementary support to all levels of public tertiary institutions with the main objective of using funding alongside project management for the rehabilitation, restoration and consolidation of Tertiary Education in Nigeria.

However, the reality on ground over the years and even now, is that rather than be a supplementary source of funding for the three tiers of tertiary education, TETFUND has turned out to be about the main source of funding for projects, scholarships research and development, publishing and publications.

The strategic support that the agency has provided for education in Nigeria is so effective and efficient that even the promoters of private universities have started to lobby for accommodation by TETFUND, though unjustifiably.

The main source of income available to the Fund is the 2 per cent Education Tax paid from the assessable profit of companies registered in Nigeria. However, the Tax was reviewed upwards to 2.5 per cent by the Finance Act 2021 and further increased to 3 per cent by the Finance Act 2023 effective September 2023.

The funds are disbursed for the general improvement of education in federal and state tertiary education institutions specifically for the provision or maintenance of essential physical infrastructure for teaching and learning, infrastructural material and equipment research and publications, academic staff training and development, and any other need which, in the opinion of the 13-member Board of Trustees, is critical and essential for the improvement and maintenance of standards in the higher educational institutions.

In 2024, the agency has impacted so significantly that testimonies abound. TETFUND has become the geese that lays the golden, so much that the Nigerian students and their lecturers do not want any harm to come near it, either in the guise of taxation, restructuring, harmonization and what have you.

At different fora and interviews in the outgoing year, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have warned the Federal Government against tampering with the existence of TETFUND, insisting that such a move will badly injure the Nigerian university system.

In an interview with The Guardian newspapers, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) cautioned the Federal Government against phasing out the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in favour of the newly introduced Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), warning that such a move could severely damage Nigeria’s public university system.

“TETFund has been instrumental in transforming tertiary education across Nigeria for over 30 years. Scrapping it would devastate public universities and deny access to education for children from low-income families,” said ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, during the interview with The Guardian.

According to Osodeke: “TETFund is the product of our struggle as educators. The government cannot unilaterally decide to dismantle it without engaging those who understand its importance,” Osodeke emphasised.

ASUU proposed that the government explores alternative funding mechanisms for NELFUND, such as allocating a percentage of Value Added Tax (VAT), rather than repurposing TETFund’s consolidated revenue from corporate taxes: “We are not opposed to NELFUND. But the government must find a new source of funding without dismantling the existing framework that has sustained our universities,” Osodeke added.

He highlighted the significant role TETFund plays in providing infrastructure and academic development in public institutions, noting that 90% of physical structures in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education are products of TETFund.

ASUU urged the government to uphold the legacy of TETFund, which has inspired similar initiatives like Ghana’s Education Trust Fund (GETFund).

READ ALSO: Lagos: Sanwo-Olu assures residents of better 2025

“Countries in Africa are learning from TETFund. Scrapping it now would be a step backward for Nigeria,” Osodeke stressed, appealing to the government to prioritize education funding in line with global standards.

For the avoidance of doubt, the ASUU President affirmed categorically that: “This is not just about ASUU; it’s about the survival of Nigeria’s education system and the opportunities it provides for millions.”

He who wears the shoe, they say, knows where it pinches. It was, therefore, not surprising when the umbrella body for university students in Nigeria, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) joined ASUU to mobilize against any attempt to scrap or reduce revenue accruable to TETFUND.

It is hoped that the Federal Government will strengthen TETFUND and not whittle down its powers, influence or resources under any guise even as the Architect Sonny Echono-led management continues its giant, positive strides.

NANS, at a well-attended event in Lagos, called on the Federal Government for more clarification on the matter. The student body made its position known at the 86th National Senate Sitting and Pre-Convention event held at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo. Over 5,000 student leaders from various levels (national, geo-political zones, states, and campuses) across Nigeria attended the event.

The Senate President of NANS, Babatunde Afeez Akinteye, according to the Nigerian Tribune, urged the Federal Government to be transparent about its future plans for TETFUND in the Tax Reform Bills. He emphasized the need to clarify whether the proposed tax reform would negatively affect the agency.

“Every Nigerian recognizes the importance of TETFUND in our educational institutions. Its projects are evident across campuses. Without TETFUND, we cannot imagine what would have become of our campuses.

“The agency’s contributions go beyond infrastructural development to include capacity building, research, and innovative activities. For these reasons, TETFUND must not be tampered with but instead properly funded and managed by competent individuals of integrity to ensure even greater performance,” he said.

Not long after, with the opposition against alleged aim of scraping of TETFUND becoming louder and louder, the Federal Government had to come out to dispel the rumours being peddled that there were plans to scrap TETFUND.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesman, dispelled the rumour, saying there was no such plan to scrap TETFUND and a few other agencies in the proposed tax bill.

“No part of the tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly (NASS) recommends the scrapping of Tertiary Education Fund (TETFund), National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)”, the Presidency through Onanuga said in a statement.

“Contrary to the lies being peddled, the bills do not suggest that NASENI, TETFUND, and NITDA will cease to exist in 2029 after the passage of the bills. Government agencies, such as NASENI, TETFUND, and NITDA, are funded through budgetary provisions with company income tax and other taxes paid by the same businesses that are being overburdened with the special taxes.”

As the clarification from the Federal Government seemed to have put the mind of the concerned public at rest, desperate people embarked on campaign of calumny against TETFUND and its Executive Secretary, Architect Sonny Echono, who had taken the Fund commendably to  greater heights locally and internationally, since he took over the affairs of the agency. The published attacks and lies against TETFUND and its helmsman, mostly on back street social media were born out of envy and mindless hustling of certain people who wanted to wrestle the steering of TETFUND for their ulterior, self-serving and unpatriotic motives.

It is, however, highly commendable that TETFUND and its management continue to remain focused, undistracted in the delivery of their mandate, with the active support of its Board Members picked across the six geopolitical  zones of the country and chaired by the former governor  of Kastina State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Masari.

As part of efforts towards revamping the Nigerian economy through promotion and investments in groundbreaking research and innovations, the maiden edition of the National Research Fair/Exhibition has been successfully held in Abuja with innovators, researchers and inventors on the ground to showcase various innovative projects.

The five-day event, which was held between 17th and 21st November 2024, no doubt, lived up to its billings.

The fair represented a significant landmark in TETFund’s quest for promotion of groundbreaking research and innovations and provided an opportunity for researchers and inventors to display local solutions capable of supporting national development.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event held at the Eagle Square, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, stated that only impactful research and innovation could equip Nigeria with needed elements to transform its fortune, adding that the Federal Government is committed to leveraging research and for economic growth.

He stated that despite being the first of its kind, the TETFUND fair would be held annually to unleash the innate capacities of millions of young Nigerians by giving them opportunities to contribute to economic development through innovation.

The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono stated that the exhibition was aimed at “showcasing research outcomes from the Fund’s Beneficiary Institutions, as well as other innovations both from the formal and informal sectors with the aim of connecting them to industry for prototype upscale and commercialization.”

He added that the exhibition was also an effort by the Fund to ensure innovators and researchers contribute their quota to revamping the country’s economy, create jobs, as well as generate and redistribute wealth among Nigerians.

In his own remarks at the event, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of TETFund, Rt. Hon. Aminu Masari, reiterated the commitment of the TETFund Board to research development in tertiary institutions, adding that the paucity of funds required for promoting cutting-edge research that are crucial to national development will be significantly addressed under his leadership.

It is hoped that the Federal Government will strengthen TETFUND and not whittle down its powers, influence or resources under any guise even as the Architect Sonny Echono-led management continues its giant, positive strides.

*Oladunjoye, a journalist, was at various times a Member of the Governing Councils of Tai Solarin University  of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State and Federal Polytechnic, Ukanna,Akwa-Ibom State. He sent this via oladunjoyelo@gmail.com

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The lecture titled “Impact of Leadership Selection on Governance in Public Universities in Nigeria” will hold at Prof. C.O.E. Onwuliri Conference Hall, FUTO main campus, Owerri.

The university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. (Mrs). Nnenna Oti, will be the chief host at the lecture, which is expected to attract participants from within and outside the university community, especially the academia.

FUTO is the oldest university of technology in Nigeria, established in 1980 by Nigeria’s first Executive President, Shehu Shagari.

It became the first of three such universities set up by the Federal Government of Nigeria, which sought to establish a university of technology in each geo-political region, particularly in a state which did not have a conventional university.

Echono is a Nigerian diplomat, and architect who serves as the ninth Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund from 2022 till-date.

READ ALSO: AMGA 2024: Nigeria emerges overall winner with 234 medals

Previously, Echono served as the Secretary of the Admissions Committee of the Nigerian Institute of Architects and the 28th President of the Nigerian Institute of Architects from 2019 to 2021.

Echono was nominated by the board of TETFUND in early 2022 and was subsequently appointed as the substantive 9th Executive Secretary (ES) of TETFUND on March 18, 2022, by former President Muhammad Buhari.

A former permanent secretary in federal ministries, Echono had been honoured by governmental and non-governmental bodies locally and internationally.

He is a recipient of Officer of Order of Niger, OON.

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Egbetokun said this while delivering the first distinguished Personality Lecture, organised by the TETFUND Centre of Excellence in Multidisciplinary Studies, TCEMS, University of Ibadan, UI, on Monday in Ibadan.

The lecture was titled: “The Nigeria Police Force and the Management of Internal Security.”

Egbetokun said although the force already had a drone, it would now establish a full drone system to capture everywhere in Nigeria from its headquarters in Abuja.

According to him, the drone system would also help the police see criminals whenever they might be committing crimes.

“The ungoverned spaces will soon become governed,” he said.

He further said the force would establish a Special Intervention Squad, SIS, in all the states of the federation to tackle kidnapping, banditry and other forms of criminality in Nigeria.

The police boss said the deployment of the SIS in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, had yielded results leading to the arrest of many kidnappers and bandits, including the recovery of weapons.

READ ALSO: Kogi: Army hands over eight rescued students to governor

The I-G said the force had also established dedicated anti-kidnapping units across various states, focusing on intelligence gathering and rapid responses to kidnapped incidents.

The units, he said, had successfully conducted numerous rescue operations leading to the safe return of kidnapped victims and the arrest of perpetrators.

Egbetokun highlighted the shortage of manpower, inadequate equipment, public distrust and insufficient budgetary provisions as some of the challenges facing the force.

He, however, pledged the force’s commitment to the protection of lives and property of citizens.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of UI, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, commended the I-G for his visionary leadership in managing the nation’s security challenges.

Also, the acting Director of TCEMS, Dr Benjamin Aluko, said the lecture was organised to elicit constructive discussions that would reshape the country’s security situation.

Source: NAN

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The Executive Secretary of the fund, Mr Sonny Echono, made this known at a public hearing on alleged missing N2.3 trillion in TETFUND between 2011 to date, organised by an ad-hoc committee of the House of Representatives.

He said that the tax accruable to the fund was generated by Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, and the fund’s account was domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

Echono said that some of the tax come in foreign currencies to CBN but when it is time to pay fees for scholars abroad, the apex bank insisted TETFUND source forex, making the fund lose value.

According to him, “we operate a system where our forex is being sold on our behalf at official rate and we apply like anybody else to get it; sometimes it leads to additional cost.”

He urged the committee to intervene and compel CBN to allow TETFUND access its forex to pay fees as at when due.

“Currently as I speak, we are in consultations with all our stakeholders to suspend for a year or two, foreign training.

“This is because of the recent exchange rate adjustments, we are unable to continue based on our disbursement guideline; the money we allocated in naira cannot cover the dollar requirement for training.

“Those who are currently there, we now need more naira to pay for the dollar that is required for their annual fees,” he said.

READ ALSO: Yabatech wins N27m TETFund research grant

Echono said that the fund had identified courses where Nigerian universities have competence and the right quality of faculty to run.

He said that the fund had earlier decided that only limited courses “where we do not have capacity in our institutions will qualify for foreign sponsorship.”

The executives-secretary announced that most training would now be done local through the experienced, first generation universities and other specialised universities in Nigeria to retain revenue to cope with the exchange rate.

However, Echono said that no fewer than 137 sponsored scholars had absconded from 40 institutions abroad.

He said that some scholars who were sent for foreign training to acquire higher qualifications, unpatriotically refused to return to Nigeria to serve.

He said that TETFund was working with other stakeholders on stringent measures saying that before anyone was sponsored, bond must be signed.

“The scholar undertake that you will come back, it is required that you have a guarantor and in many cases the guarantor have suffered undue hardship because when you disappear, we hold the guarantor to pay all the money expended on your behalf but that has not been effective.

“We believe that a system where we work with our embassies and the institutions, we can enforce the repayment for those who insist they will not come back.

“If they don’t, we will declare them “persona non grata”, we will write to the embassies and they will make it available to those countries and they will not be able to get jobs; they will be seen as fugitive of law from their countries,” he said.

Echono called for the review of existing regulations to ensure that those who benefit from TETFund programme must come back.

According to him, we are not against people looking for greener pastures but do so on your own, not our scholarship or through our sponsorship.

On the alleged missing N2.3 trillion, Echono said that the revenue accruable to the fund within the period was N2.47 trillion.

He said that “between 2011 to date, a total of N371.3 billon was borrowed by the Federal Government and only N48 billion had been repaid.”

The executive secretary said that all relevant document to aid the investigation of the committee had been provided.

Earlier the Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Oluwole Oke (PDP-Osun) said that the committee was formed following a resolution of the house on a motion on the need to investigate the alleged missing sum.

He said that the committee would look at all the documents submitted by TETFund and also look at the law establishing the fund.

Oke said that the committee were also interested in the welfare of the staff of the fund and the House under the leadership of the Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, would not harass or intimidate any agency or person.

He, however, said that the parliament would ensure the fund did what was right and deliver the required services to Nigerians.

He adjourned the hearing to Thursday.

Source: NAN

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Professor Ologunde described the claim as totally incorrect, and that the lawmaker was only playing to the gallery.

The lawmaker, representing Ogbomoso South constituency, was quoted in a news report as saying that about three years ago (when Ologunde was vice chancellor), he had cause to use his legislative power to stop the management of LAUTECH from diverting to Osun State, an intervention fund from Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND.

But speaking in an exclusive interview by FrontPage on Tuesday, the former vice-chancellor pooh-poohed the claim, saying it was false.

According to Ologunde, there was no intention whatsoever to divert the said amount to Osun State, so there could not have been any use of legislative power to stop that.

He explained that as the vice-chancellor, he attracted the money to the institution through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND, and the money was judiciously used for the construction of some blocks of hostels with 5000 bed capacity.

His words: “I secured the fund from the government and there was no time that I wanted to divert the money to Osun. The ownership agreement between the two states – Osun and Oyo – was still on at the time. I am from Osun and the university is located in Oyo.

“The man who spoke, although said he did not mention my name, but I was the only Osun indigene in the management at the time, so the allusion was obviously to me.”

Stressing that there was no time the management or he was invited or had a directive of the legislative house not to divert any fund, he said the money was already being spent before the dissolution of the joint ownership of the institution by the two states came up.

Ologunde added: “There was no legislative directive as he claimed.  What he did was only playing to the gallery…

“The university had already taken the decision to spend the money in LAUTECH….

“The decision to spend the money in Ogbomosho was already being implemented even while the discussion on the dissolution was going.  It was not even a case of stopping what was already going on.

“When the committee on dissolution came around, it met the project as having already taken off.

“The claim of the lawmaker is completely inaccurate.  Everything he said about the money is completely false.”

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This was disclosed on Thursday in a statement signed by Mr Joe Ejiofor, Deputy Registrar of YABATECH.

It gave the research project title as: Integrated Monitoring of Macroplastics Pollutants in Nigeria’s Water using Invitro Studies for Sustainable Water Quality Development.

According to the statement, it aimed at enabling the college and the team of researchers to contribute meaningfully to the government’s desire to revive and make research and development the launch pad of development.

It stated that the research project would be conducted by a team of researchers under the leadership of Dr. Funmilayo Doherty, Chief Lecturer in the Department of Biological Science.

The statement named other members of the research team as Oluwaseun Popoola, Ph.D., Anjorin Ige; Folashde Ajagbe, Ph.D; Abdullahi Adeola; Oluwatosin Amolegbe; Moses Ugochukwu and Aderonke Ajibola Oloidi.

It said that the research team also included researchers from sister institutions of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, and University of Port Harcourt, UNIPORT.

The statement also said that the YABATECH Rector, Mr Obafemi Omokungbe, while receiving members of the research team in his office, expressed happiness on the award.

Omokungbe said that YABATECH would continue to provide the enabling environment for an enduring research culture in the College.

According to the statement, the College and the research team have a time frame of 24 months to execute the project.

Source: NAN

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