Education

Nigerian students in American varsity accuse HOD of extortion, human trafficking

Published

1 year ago

April 11, 2023

NewsDirect

A group of Nigerian students in the American University of Moldova (AUM) and the University of Political and Economic European Studies (USPEE) have accused the Head Department (HOD) for Foreign Students, Mr Johnbull Ugbo of extortion, human trafficking and maltreatment.

In a petition by the President of their association, the Nigeria Union in Moldova (NUM), Daniel Nnadi, Ugbo was also alleged to be harassing the students with police and collecting cash from students and parents without getting admission and wouldn’t refund their money.

According to Nnadi, the association had written to the Nigerian Embassy in Bucharest seeking assistance but nothing came out from it. Nnadi explained that some of the students have been suspended from the university, for not meeting up with the tuition fees due to Ugbo’s refusal to pay the fees which the affected students gave him in cash.

He said the association’s efforts to bring Ugbo to a meeting and find solution to the allegations against him have proved abortive.

Nnadi said, “We have tried so many ways to bring an amicable solution to these issues but the students were restricted by Mr. Ugbo Johnbull. He doesn’t want anybody to associate with the Nigerian Union in Moldova. There are evidences to prove his extortions and treatments from varies students. We are asking the relevant authorities and Nigerian High Commission to help us investigate the dealings of Ugbo, if found guilty should be arrested and prosecuted.”

One of the students, Ezeike Chukwuemeka, in a petition, said that Ugbo, in a meeting they had with him in September 2020 declared that €50 will be paid by any of the students who missed a class.

According to Ezeike, no student could challenge Ugbo for fear of deportation. He’s always threatening us with deportation.

He said, “Sometime in September 2022, Mr Ugbo introduced another way of extorting money from the students because he calls his word the Law. In one of the meetings he had declared that any person that misses a class will pay €50.”

Another student of USPEE, Akande Idris said he is mentally stressed, tired, and devasted about the threats, extortion, and management going on in the school and hostel by Ugbo.

He accused Ugbo of illegally implementing a 2 per cent of rent in the hostel every day after the due date.

“I signed this document under duress because I couldn’t even read the content clearly and he never dropped the copy of the agreement for any of the students but yet he is forcing all students to pay the penalty with threats.

“Students are used for forced labor sometimes, students are to contribute for anything we use that got damaged in the hostel, students are regularly threatened with deportation, defamation of character if the student is not doing his bidding and also false accusations between students,” Akande said.

But Ugbo denied all the allegations in telephone conversation.

He said, “In this part of the world, nobody takes bribe. If their allegations are true and correct, I won’t be walking free. The truth of the matter is that, they are a group of cult boys and there’s no way for that in Moldova. Some of them came from Dubai, United Arab Emirates and were trying to set up a cult group.”

The Nigerian embassy is investigating the matter and when they are through, their findings will be made public.

Also, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa advised the students to write her commission as she’s not aware of their case.

She said, “I have no details. They should inform us officially. We will investigate the matter if and when we get their petition,” Mrs Dabiri-Erewa added.

Education

Kwara Govt warns against illegal charges for Common Entrance exam

Published

4 days ago

May 14, 2024

NewsDirect

The Kwara State Government has warned principals of Junior Secondary Schools and head teachers of primary schools across the state against illegal charges for the state placement examination (Common Entrance).

Any violator will face the full wrath of the law, the state Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, warned on Tuesday in her office in Ilorin.

She emphasized that the common entrance is free and government will not tolerate anyone or group of people extorting money, under any guise, from the pupils because the examination is fully sponsored by the state government.

Hajia Modibbo Kawu urged the principals and head teachers to desist from all acts that could dent the image of the state government.

She also cautioned them against aiding and abetting examination malpractices, stating that the present administration has zero tolerance for examination malpractices.

The commissioner implored the parents and guardians of the pupils to report any principal or head teacher with suspicious acts to her office directly, reiterating that her office is open to everyone.

Education

UNILORIN appoints 40 new Professors

Published

4 days ago

May 14, 2024

NewsDirect

By Saka Laaro, Ilorin

The University of Ilorin has announced the promotion of 40 of its senior academics to the rank of Professor.

The elevation, which was approved by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN, was sequel to the recommendations of the University Appointment and Promotion Committee.

A statement from the Office of the Registrar said that the 40 distinguished scholars were found to have excelled in the realms of teaching, research and community service and subsequently promoted to the highest rank obtainable in the academia.

The breakdown of the beneficiaries of the promotion exercise shows that 11 of the new Professors are produced by the Faculty of Agriculture and they are Prof. Sidiqat A. Aderinoye-Abdulwahab, Prof. L. L. Adefalu,Prof. F. O. Takim and Prof. A. A. Badmos.

Others are Prof. Foluke E. Sola-Ojo, Prof. W. A. Jimoh, Prof. M. I. Abubakar, Prof. T. H. Aliyu, Prof. R. O. Uddin II, Prof. T. O. Amusa and Prof. Mutiat A. Balogun.
From the Faculty of Arts are Prof. K. M. U. Gbodofu, Prof. Y. A. Abdullahi, Prof. Abosede R. O. Babatunde, Prof. Bolanle E. Arokoyo, and Prof. P. U. Nwosu while the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences produced Prof. A. S. Alabi, who teaches at the Department of Anatomy.
Two Lecturers from the Faculty of Clinical Sciences were also elevated to the rank of Professor and they are Prof. T. O. Olanrewaju and Prof. O. A. M. Adesiyun.

The Faculty of Communication & Information Science also produced two new Professors through Prof. Tinuke O. Oladele and Prof. Saudat S. Abdulbaqi while those promoted from the Faculty of Education are Prof. O. O. Okoji, Prof. Folakemi O. Adeniyi-Egbeola and Prof. Florence O. Daramola

From the Faculty of Engineering and Technology are Prof. A. T. Ajiboye, Prof. A. Y. Abdulrahman, Prof. M. O. Sumonu, Prof. Rasheedat M. Mahamood and Prof. T. K. Ajiboye.

The Faculty of Law produced one new Professor in the person of Prof. A. C. Onuora-Oguno.
The Faculty of Life Sciences produced four new professors. They are Prof. M. O. Nafiu, Prof. Faoziyat A. Sulaiman, Prof. Risikat Nike Ahmed, and Prof. I. O. Sule.

Those promoted from the Faculty of Management Sciences are Prof. M. A. Ajayi and Prof. Rihanat I. Abdulkadir as the Faculty of Physical Sciences also produced two new professors through Prof. Haleemat I. Adegoke and Prof. O. A. Abidoye.

The promotion of Prof. Monisola A. Tunde of the Department of Geography and Environmental Management was also confirmed while the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine also produced one of the new Professors in the person of Prof. Z. Jaji from the Department of Veterinary Anatomy.

Education

Student Union election turns deadly: One student flees for life, parents killed in tragic attack

Published

4 days ago

May 14, 2024

NewsDirect

In the quiet town of Ekiadolor, the College of Education became a battleground as student politics turned deadly. Odunuga Gbenga, a promising student, found himself thrust into the chaos of campus conflict.

It all began innocently enough when Gbenga was nominated as a contestant for the Student Union presidency. Little did he know that this simple act would plunge him into a nightmare.

During the election, tensions ran high as rival factions clashed violently. What was supposed to be a democratic process spiraled into chaos, with reports of killings, rapes, and riots echoing across the school grounds.

In fear for his life, Gbenga fled the campus, seeking refuge in the familiar embrace of his parents’ home in Edo State. But safety eluded him as darkness fell on that fateful night.

Under the cover of midnight, a group of assailants descended upon Gbenga’s home, shattering the peace of the night. In a desperate bid for survival, Gbenga fought bravely, but the odds were against him.

Tragically, Gbenga’s valiant efforts were in vain. Though he managed to escape, his beloved parents were not as fortunate. The attackers, driven by unknown motives, mercilessly took the lives of Mr. Samuel Odunuga and Mrs. Taiwo Odunuga, leaving a family shattered and a community reeling in shock.

Since that harrowing night in 2023, the search for Gbenga has consumed the hearts and minds of his grieving family. Their plea echoes through the pages of this newspaper, a desperate cry for justice and closure in the face of unspeakable tragedy.