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Canada-based Nigerian woman, Amaka Patience Sunnberger, has dismissed the possibility of arrest or deportation after the Nigerian House of Representatives urged the Canadian government to prosecute her for inciting violence and genocide against Yoruba and Benin people.
In a viral video clip that started trending on X.com on Thursday, Sunnberger cited her Canadian citizenship as protection, stating that Canada’s legal system is unlike Nigeria’s, where arrests can be made without questioning.
She said, “Somebody just send me message, say them arrest me, say them wan deport me, with passport? I be Canada pikin.
“See am now, I dey house, why I go dey lie?
This comes after a video clip surfaced on Tuesday, showing her making threatening comments against Yoruba and Benin people during a virtual meeting on TikTok.
The woman, claiming to be a resident of Ontario, Canada, vowed to harm Yoruba or Benin individuals she encounters, sparking outrage and prompting the House of Representatives to request her prosecution.
The House of Representatives has written to the Canadian government, urging it to investigate and prosecute Sunnberger for her inciting comments, which it said violate international and Canadian laws.
Media
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Canada-based Nigerian woman, Amaka Patience Sunnberger, has dismissed the possibility of arrest or… pic.twitter.com/SYyOgp8euH
Holders of Canadian visitor visas will not be able to apply for a work permit within the country.
This is coming amidst recent immigration reforms that have sparked protests, especially amongst international students.
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in a statement on Wednesday said it will discontinue the policy that allows visitors to get a work permit with immediate effect.
“While the temporary policy was set to expire on February 28, 2025, IRCC is ending the policy as part of our overall efforts to recalibrate the number of temporary residents in Canada and preserve the integrity of the immigration system,” the statement read.
The policy was introduced in August 2020 to assist visitors in Canada who were unable to return home because of border closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Visitors could apply for a work permit without having to leave Canada. Also, anyone who had held a work permit within the preceding 12 months but had changed their immigration status to “visitor” became eligible to “work legally in Canada while waiting for a decision on their new work permit application.”
However, the IRCC said that “some bad actors were using the policy to mislead foreign nationals into working in Canada without authorization.”
It, however, said it will continue to process applications submitted before August 28, 2024, under the policy.”
Tensions heightened earlier this week when tens of thousands of international students took to the streets across Canada to protest against new immigration policies introduced by the federal government that could see about 70,000 of them deported.
As of 2023, international students made up 37 per cent of study visa holders in Canada.
However, the recent cap on student visas is expected to reduce the intake of foreign students by 35 per cent, a move the government argues is necessary to alleviate pressures on housing, unemployment, and public services.
In June, the Canadian government further tightened regulations by announcing that foreign nationals would no longer be able to apply for a PGWP at the border.
This decision has sparked fears among students who are concerned about their future in Canada.
Student advocacy groups, including the Naujawan Support Network, have warned that many international graduates could face deportation once their work permits expire at the end of the year.
The Federal Government has approved a 50 per cent subsidy for the electricity consumed in hospitals across the nation.
This followed a promise by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, that the Federal Government would subsidise electricity in hospitals and universities, even if they are on Band-A feeders.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced on Thursday that the Federal Government has approved the 50 per cent electricity subsidy for public hospitals.
According to him, this gesture aims to reduce the running costs for public hospitals and alleviate the impact on patients.
Alausa made this disclosure at the National Neo-Psychiatric Hospital in Barnawa, Kaduna, where he unveiled the electronic health records and an alternative power supply source at the Lawal Jafaru Isah Emergency Complex and the solarisation project at the dialysis unit, which includes a solar-powered borehole.
Speaking recently in Ibadan, Adelabu, however, said the government would not subsidise private businesses operating in these universities and hospitals.
The minister disclosed that the government was aware that universities and hospitals are having challenges paying the bills.
However, he said the Federal Government was planning to meter all businesses running in each of the institutions to prevent paying subsidies to private businesses.
“We know they are development institutions, they are social institutions. But inside the health and educational institutions, private businesses are hiding under them. These people charge their customers commercially and they expect to be subsidised because they are located within the territories of these institutions.
“We said no, go and do a proper search and meter everybody. For the ones that are properly health and education-related, we are ready to subsidise them, even if they are on Band A. We are compiling our data, DisCos will collect a certain amount and the government will pay the balance. But we must get the data right so that we are not subsidising a private business that is charging its customers commercially. That will be an abnormal profit and it is unfair,” he stated.
After the Federal Government removed subsidies from customers categorised as Band A and upgraded their daily electricity supply to a minimum of 20 hours daily, universities and public hospitals cried out that their bills had skyrocketed.
Recently, the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital cried out over what they described as an outrageous electricity bill charged by the Eko Electricity Distribution Company for May.
The institutions said they were jointly presented with a bill of about N280m for May instead of the less than N100m they used to pay.
The Ministry of Power has yet to give details of the subsidy arrangement for the institutions.
The Minister of Power’s spokesman, Bolaji Tunji, promised to revert.
Africa has become a dumping ground for 55 million used vehicles from Europe and America, the Chief Executive Officer of the the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM), David Coffey, has said.
He said the trend can change if there is synergy between the National Automobile Design and Development Council (NADDC) and AAAM, which is on a mission is to industrialise and grow the automotive sector in Africa.
He said the sector can be developed wworking with African governments to develop and refine policies, collaborating with the public and private sectors, promoting affordable mobility with safe, low-emission vehicles, and eveloping a value chain, including finance sector partnerships.
Coffey, who dissected Nigeria’s manufacturing capability, identified the lack of demand as a key challenge.
He called for the strengthening of the automobile policy for increased investment in the sector, adding that partnership with local businesses would boost local production, enhance technology transfer and raise industrial capacity.
He was impressed by the capability he witnessed and suggested partnering with local businesses.
Coffey spoke during the tour of automobile companies by the Director-General of the National Automobile Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr Joseph Osanipin.
Accompanied by the AAAM team, he visited Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) and Afro Asia at Nnewi, Anambra State, where he applauded the companies for their innovation approach.
Osanipin expressed a strong interest in replicating Innoson’s model to boost local manufacturing capabilities across Nigeria.
The Director-General acknowledged the success of Innoson, which manufactures complete CNG buses from scratch, using locally sourced materials like glass, iron, and plastic.
He said the model should be replicated in other manufacturing entities and partnering with Innoson to grow the industry.
Osanipin also emphasised the importance of setting standards and conducting peer reviews with other economies.
He praised Innoson’s use of local content and urged the company to improve it to 70-80 percent in view of the necessary capacity, expertise, and materials available.
Osanipin said the vehicles produced by IVM have met global standards, adding that the factory has the capacity to produce at least 30,000 vehicles per year if orders are placed.
Inoson Motors Chief Executive Officer Dr Innocent Chukwuma, urged Nigeria to adopt Natural Compressed Gas (CNG) as a fuel source, given the high cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
He said the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicle is the best option, stressing that it is a cheaper attractive alternative.
Chukwuma said: “The federal government should issue directives to promote the adoption of CNG, as it is crucial for saving our economy from the burden of expensive PMS. As the president highlighted, fuel costs are draining our country’s resources.
“By switching to CNG, we can conserve funds for other essential purposes. I urge everyone to support the transition to CNG, as it will benefit both individuals and the nation as a whole. A prosperous Nigeria benefits everyone.”
Osanipin also visited the Afro Asia Nigeria Limited, where the CEO Chief A.C. Okafor, presented a comprehensive overview of the company’s manufacturing processes, ranging from plastic recycling to finished product production.
Okafor, who spoke on the challenges confronting the industry, said policy inconsistency is a significant obstacle.
He emphasised the need for auto policy legislation to unlock the industry’s full potential and facilitate its growth.
An employee of the Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), Auwal Dankode, has been praised for his integrity after returning $10,000, approximately N16 million.
Dankode, a worker at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano, was said to have found the money while cleaning the aircraft.
According to a post by the security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makaman, on the X platform on Wednesday, Dankode discovered the cash during his routine cleaning duties and immediately reported it to the airline company’s manager.
Zagazola stated that Dankode, a native of Kode in Kano State, is known for his strong fear of God and integrity.
His selfless act, he said, has highlighted the importance of honesty and accountability in the workplace.
Zagazola added that as investigations continue to identify the owner of the lost money, “Auwal’s actions serve as a shining example of the positive impact that even small acts of kindness can have.”
The post read: “This boy, Named Auwal Ahmed Dankode, an employee of Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), found $10,000—approximately N16m—Inside a plane while cleaning it.
“Upon discovering the money, Auwal immediately reported it to the airline company’s manager to initiate the search for the rightful owner. The incident took place at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. Auwal, originally from Kode in Kano State, is known for his strong fear of God and honesty.”
Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara, is dead.
Ayilara, it was gathered, died in the early hours of Thursday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, The Nation reported.
Sources close to the family told The Nation he underwent prostate cancer surgery on Wednesday before he died hours later.
“We are very sad to inform you that our friend, brother, and family, the Commissioner of Police for Akwa Ibom State, Waheed Ayilara, is dead,” the family was quoted as saying.
A top police officer in Akwa Ibom State, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, also confirmed the CP’s death.
In November 2023, as a DCP, Ayilara was unveiled as the acting Commissioner of Police in Lagos.
Ayilara, a former Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department, took over from AIG Idowu Owohunwa.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, deployed Ayilara to head Akwa Ibom State Command in February 2024.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, detained an Assistant Superintendent of Police, A. A Babangida, and 19 others for 30 days over their alleged involvement in banditry, kidnapping and terrorism activities.
Justice Peter Lifu gave the order while delivering a ruling in an ex-parte application marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1146/2024, brought before the court by the Defence Intelligence Agency.
Justice Lifu ordered that Babangida be detained along with the other suspects for 30 days to enable DIA operatives to carry out a thorough investigation into their alleged involvement in the crime.
The other suspects are Usman Idris, Abu Safiyanu, Alhassan Idris, Sahada Ishaka, Abubakar Ibrahim Sani Bello, Yahaya Abdullahi, Haruna Salisu and Mohammed Muazu.
Others are Nura Idris, Manu Mohammed, Umar Lamu, Abubakar Mandara, Suleiman Mohammed, Alhaji Madayi, Amodu Oghewe and Uzoma Aghaoyibo.
Babangida was alleged to have been helping the Boko Haram, bandits and ISWAP members in carrying out terrorism activities in some parts of the country.
He was arrested in June following an intelligence report received by the DIA and has since been in the custody of the agency.
DIA’s counsel, S.A Aminu, while arguing the ex-parte application, told the court that the agency “intends to carry out a critical investigation into the unlawful activities of Babangida and others before handing them over to the Attorney General of the Federation for prosecution”.
The lawyer told the court that the involvement of the suspects in terrorist activities was complex and the bomb experts for the gang had just been apprehended based on information obtained from detainees.
She, therefore, requested the permission of the court to detain the suspects for 90 days.
The agency, in a 21-paragraph affidavit ex-parte application, explained how it obtained information that led to the arrest of the suspects in various locations and at different times.
After going through the documentary exhibits placed before the court, Justice Lifu declined to grant the 90 days requested by DIA on the grounds that the suspects had been in custody for three months.
He held that according to the Constitution, the defendants are presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
He ordered the agency to “detain the suspects till the conclusion of the investigation.”
Justice Lifu also ordered that the DIA should do everything within its powers and within the ambit of the law to complete its investigation into the allegations against the suspects so as not to run foul of the law.
Nigeria's divorce rate, however, surpasses that of Canada, India, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Peru, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, placing it in a significant global context.
Divorce.com, a United States website which offers resources and support for navigating divorce, has included Nigeria on its list of countries with high divorce rates.
According to data published on their website in July, Nigeria ranked eleventh out of twenty-six countries with the highest divorce rate.
The results were meticulously obtained after sampling respondents from these countries and compiling statistics from 16 primary sources, ensuring a comprehensive and reliable research process.
The report also revealed a significant trend. Women in sub-Saharan Africa, especially Nigeria, are taking the initiative in divorce more often than men, a powerful reflection of changing gender dynamics.
According to the data, Maldives has the highest divorce rate at 5.52 per cent, while India has the lowest rate at 0.01 per cent.
Maldives tops the list because women in the country have become more financially independent and can sustain themselves without husbands. Also, there is little to no stigma associated with getting divorced in modern Maldives.
However, India has the lowest divorce rates because marriage is highly valued, and divorce has historically been stigmatised, which has created intense social pressure to maintain the marriage, even in the face of difficulties.
Rationale
Divorce.com claimed that Nigeria’s divorce rate reached 2.9 per cent in 2023 based on available data on marriage and divorce, which translates to 1.8 per cent divorces per 1,000 people in the same year.
Just like Maldives, Nigeria was ranked eleventh among the countries with the highest divorce rate because its women are financially independent and can sustain themselves without husbands.
They stated that the data was arrived at based on scholars’ belief that high divorce rates in Western countries stem from the reduced stigma surrounding divorce and the growing financial independence of women.
Countries with higher divorce rates than Nigeria include the Maldives, Cuba 2.9 per cent, Finland 2.4 per cent, Sweden 2.5 per cent, Denmark 2.7 per cent and Ukraine 3.1 per cent.
For instance, Canada, a country with a similar socio-economic profile to Nigeria, had a divorce rate of 2.8 per cent, while India, a country with a different cultural and religious context, had a divorce rate of 0.1 per cent.
Other countries with lower divorce rates than Nigeria include Malta 0.6 per cent, Ireland 0.7 per cent, Guatemala 0.6 per cent, Venezuela 0.7 per cent, Uruguay 0.8 per cent, Austria 1.6 per cent, and Belgium 1.8 per cent.
Factors that contributed to divorce
According to Divorce.com, various factors influence a country’s divorce rate, and these factors differ across continents.
In the countries with the highest divorce rates, religion, local divorce laws, lack of social support, and limited employment opportunities are significant contributors.
These factors can lead to a breakdown in trust and communication, making it difficult for couples to maintain a healthy and committed relationship.
Other common factors include marrying too young 45.1 per cent, financial hardship 36.7 per cent, substance abuse 40.6 per cent, and domestic violence 23.5 per cent.
Africa
Additionally, eleven other African countries were ranked behind Nigeria in divorce rates.
These countries include Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Sudan, Mauritius, Libya, South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.
Egypt’s divorce rate was 2.2 per cent, Algeria’s 1.6 per cent, Tunisia’s 1.2 per cent, Sudan’s 1.5 per cent, Mauritius’ 1.7 per cent, Libya’s 0.2 per cent, and South Africa’s 0.4 per cent.
Furthermore, Ethiopia has a divorce rate of 2.6 per cent, Kenya 0.06 per cent, Zimbabwe 0.07 per cent, and Mozambique 0.04 per cent.
Determining factors
According to Divorce.com, the primary factors influencing divorce rates in Africa include age at first marriage, financial independence, polygyny, and HIV/AIDS risks.
The report also revealed that women in sub-Saharan Africa initiated divorce more often than men.
Specifically, 34.6 per cent of women with secondary school education, 38.6 per cent of those living in urban areas, 57.6 per cent employed outside the household, and 75.1 per cent in monogamous unions have divorced.
Additionally, they highlighted that marriage stability in sub-Saharan African countries mainly depends on religion and extended family ties.
“In particular, conservative Christians, who considered divorce a taboo in the past, now increasingly believe it to be a better option than domestic violence and infidelity.
“In addition, if a marriage requires paying a substantial amount of money to the bride’s family, maternal relatives will try to keep the union from falling apart. Otherwise, they will have to return the portion or all of the “bride price”, Divorce.com added.
The Lagos State Police command has arrested an unnamed nurse over the d$ath of a 36-year-old woman, simply identified as Abiola, over a failed butt-lifting procedure allegedly carried out on the deceased by the nurse.
Confirming her arrest to newsmen, the state’s Police spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the nurse was arrested after the Maroko Police Division received a report on Tuesday at about 11:40 am from the driver of the deceased, whose name was also not disclosed.
Hundeyin stated that the deceased’s driver reported that at about 3am on Monday, his boss, who was living at Diamond Estate, Sangotedo-Lekki, asked him to convey her to a clinic located at Lekki Phase 1 for a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) injection for buttocks enlargement.
“On arrival, the owner of the clinic (not mentioned), instructed a nurse to inject the now-deceased lady, who later became unconscious and started gasping for breath. The victim was rescued and rushed to another hospital in Lekki Phase 1 for treatment, where she was confirmed d#ad by the doctor on duty. Based on the report, the scene was visited by a team of detectives.
The hospital was also visited, where the corpse was inspected and photographed before it was evacuated to a public morgue for autopsy'' he said
The Lagos police image-maker added that the said nurse had been arrested and that investigation into the matter is in progress.
The race for the Emirate of Ningi has officially begun following the recent death of the late Emir, Alhaji Yunusa Mohammed Danyaya, who passed away last Sunday at the age of 88.
The emir, who had ruled for 46 years since ascending the throne in 1978, is being succeeded according to tradition, which requires that a new emir must come from one of the three ruling houses of the emirate.
The kingmakers have sent letters to the three eligible ruling houses-Gidan Mallam Hamza, Gidan Abubakar Danmaje, and Gidan Usman Danyaya-inviting applications from interested members of the royal family.
The announcement was made during a meeting chaired by Wazirin Ningi, Alhaji Ahmed Shuaibu, who leads the six-member council including the Chief Imam of Ningi and the district heads.
The Bauchi State Government has instructed the emirate council and the kingmakers to commence the selection process. Applications are being accepted from now until Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 6pm.
The kingmakers will screen the applicants and submit the names of three nominees to Governor Bala Mohammed, who will appoint the new emir from this shortlist.
While five princes are currently being considered as strong contenders, including Alhaji Yusuf Yunusa Danyaya (Danburam Ningi), Haruna Yunusa Danyaya (Chiroman Ningi), Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim Gurama (Danlawal Ningi), Alhaji Auwalu Isah (Danmajen Ningi) and Alhaji Zakarai Isa (Santurakin Ningi), no official details have been released regarding their applications or the process.
Governor Bala Mohammed has pledged to appoint a credible successor in accordance with the late emir’s wishes.
Meanwhile, tributes have continued pouring in since the late emir’s passing. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar visited the palace, where he described the late emir as a steadfast leader who maintained peace and development throughout his reign.
Atiku emphasised the monarch’s significant role in Nigeria’s political and social landscape.
The Sarkin Yakin Bauchi and District Head of Lame, Alhaji Aliyu Yakubu Lame, lauded the late emir as a leader and peacekeeper who served with dedication and commitment.
He prayed for the governor to make a swift appointment and for the late emir to be granted paradise.
Professor Fatima Tahir, Vice-Chancellor of Sa’adu Zungur University of Gadau, extended her condolences to the late emir’s family and the Bauchi State community, praising his contributions to education and development.
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya also expressed his condolences, describing the late emir as an iconic figure known for his humility and dedication to peace and unity.
He urged the royal family to uphold the legacy of the respected monarch.
[DailyTrust]
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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed the leaders of its 54 affiliate unions to accompany its President, Joe Ajaero, to the office of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) today over alleged terrorism financing and other infractions.
The umbrella labour union asked Central Working Committee (CWC) members in Abuja to assemble at the Labour House by 8 a.m today to accompany its president for the police questioning.
The NLC gave the directive in a circular by its General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, and copied to all affiliate unions, state chapters, and national officers.
The police, last week, invited Ajaero to its office over allegations of terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.
The circular reads: “In Abuja: All CWC members resident in Abuja and other members are expected to assemble at the national headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress by 8 a.m. on Thursday, August 29, to accompany the President to the police for the scheduled interaction.
“In state capitals: Members should gather at their respective state secretariats of congress. From there, they will embark on a peaceful procession to their state police command headquarters where they will hold a prayer session until the President’s interaction with the police is concluded.
“This peaceful march is a united stand against the unjust actions aimed at intimidating our leadership and stifling the voice of Nigerian workers. We urge all members to remain peaceful and orderly throughout the procession and prayer session.
“If for any reason, the President is detained, all workers nationwide shall proceed on an indefinite strike. Your unwavering support and solidarity at this critical time are crucial to defending civic rights and the integrity and rights of the labour movement.
“Together, we shall overcome these challenges and continue to uphold justice, fairness, and democracy in our dear nation.”
[TheNation]
A 36-year-old Nigerian, Olukayode Ojo, is facing a five-year jail term in Texas, United States, after being found guilty of making false statements to obtain a certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration.
US Attorney Robert Troester, announced Ojo’s conviction on Monday through a statement on the FAA’s official website, revealing that Ojo had been attempting to obtain a medical certificate necessary for piloting a commercial passenger aircraft, which led to his conviction on August 16, 2024.
Troester noted that the case was part of an investigation by the Transportation Security Administration—Investigations and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jackson Eldridge and Matt Dillon.
He said, “On June 4, 2024, a federal jury returned a two-count superseding indictment against Ojo, charging him with two counts of making a false statement. On August 16, 2024, a federal jury found Ojo guilty on both counts.
“Evidence presented at trial indicated that Ojo, an FAA-certified commercial airline pilot, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanour theft charges on February 8, 2023, in Kentucky state court in connection with a theft of passenger luggage from the baggage carousels at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
“Ojo then made false statements to the FAA in March 2023 and March 2024 while applying for an FAA First Class Medical Certificate to conceal his history of prior criminal convictions. A First Class Medical Certificate permits an airman to pilot commercial passenger aircraft.”
The convict faces a potential sentence of up to five years in federal prison, along with fines of up to $250,000 for each count.
[Punch]
The National Assembly yesterday waded into the controversy generated by the Federal Government’s plan to peg the age limit for students to write the West Africa Senior Secondary School Certificate, WASSCE, examination at 18 years.
It will be recalled that the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, announced plans on Sunday by the federal government to set the age limit for the examination to 18 years.
This is even as the government’s decision yesterday elicited more condemnations, as former Vice President Abubakar Atiku and civil society organisations, CSOs, described it as archaic and draconian.
They also asked the government to put it on hold and call a meeting of stakeholders in the education sector to deliberate on the matter.
It’ll be subjected to public hearing — Senate
Reacting to the development yesterday, the Senate said it would subject the issue to public hearing when it comes before senators.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), said: “The Senate will consider, through it’s relevant committee, public views on any government policy brought to our legislative notice. Whatever is brought to the Senate for constitutional and statutory stamps shall be subjected to legislative crucible which includes public hearings.”
We haven’t been briefed — Reps
On his part, spokesman of the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, said the Green Chamber has no position on the matter yet, as members have not been briefed.
‘’I cannot say anything for now. When the House resumes and the matter is brought before it, it will be looked into,” he said.
However, aside from the former vice president, others who reacted included founder of Concerned Parents and Educators Network, CPE, Mrs Yinka Ogunde; the National Coordinator of Education Rights Campaign, ERC, Hassan Soweto; Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education, CHRICED; and Global Rights Nigeria, among others.
They were reacting to the statement by the Minister of Education, on Sunday night that the government had pegged the age at which candidates would sit for the examination at 18 beginning from next year.
The development would also mean that such candidates would not be able to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, for placement into higher institutions until they are 18, since candidates need WASSCE results to back up their admission processes.
Mamman had earlier in the year, suggested making 18 the admission age into higher institutions during a stakeholders’ meeting called by JAMB, but was opposed by most of the participants
Policy archaic, barrier to academic freedom — Atiku
Condemning government’s declaration yesterday, Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 elections, described the policy thrust as absurd and a barrier to academic freedom.
Atiku aired his thoughts in a piece, titled “Tinubu’s policy on age limit for tertiary education admission belongs in the Stone Ages,” posted on his Facebook page.
He wrote: “The recent policy of the Federal Ministry of Education pegging age limit for entry to tertiary institutions is an absurdity and a disincentive to scholarship.
“The policy runs foul of the delineation of responsibilities in a federal system of government such as we are practising, and gives a graphic impression of how the Tinubu government behaves like a lost sailor on a high sea.
“Otherwise, how is such anti-scholarship regulation the next logical step in the myriad of issues besetting our educational system?
“To be clear, the Nigerian constitution puts education in the concurrent list of schedules, in which the sub-national governments enjoy more roles above the Federal Government.
“Therefore, it is extra-constitutional for the Federal Government to legislate on education like a decree.
“The best global standard for such regulation is to allow the sub-national governments to make respective laws or rules on education.
“It is discouraging that even while announcing this obnoxious policy, the government inadvertently said it had no plan to cater for specially gifted pupils.
“The statement is an embarrassment to the body of intellectuals in the country because it portrays Nigeria as a country where gifted students are not appreciated.
“The irony here is that should the Federal Government play any role in education, it is to set up mechanisms that will identify and grant scholarships to gifted students, not minding their ages, before applying for admission into tertiary institutions.
“This controversial policy belongs in the stone ages and should be roundly condemned by everyone who believes in intellectual freedom and accessibility.”
FG should not act like a military regime —CPE
In her reaction, the founder of CPE, Mrs Yinka Ogunde, noted that the Federal Government has not considered many things before deciding on the policy.
“The Federal Ministry of Education cannot be run by making arbitrary decisions. It has created dilemmas and confusion all over the country. We need to start from the foundation. If stakeholders in the sector agreed that students should be at least 18 before seeking admission to tertiary institutions, among others, it is not something to be done by fiat.
“We will have to start from primary school where no pupil is allowed to be in primary one unless he or she is six years. Then we enforce such and if any private school defaults, the owner can be penalised and if it is a public school, the head teacher can be sanctioned too.
“But to wake up and say from next year, we would do this, is not realistic. We are not in a military regime and people should be consulted.
“If we are starting it this year, what becomes of millions of secondary school students who are not going to clock 18 before they graduate from their schools? We are not in a dictatorship and necessary consultations must be done and if we are starting now, it should be from the foundation, which is primary school,” she said.
No minimum age for marriage but education —Global Rights
Also reacting, Executive Director, Global Rights Nigeria, Abiodun Baiyewu, called on the Federal Government to review the policy.
Baiyewu said: “I think the policy needs to be reviewed, given the global competition Nigerian children will be confronted with, aside taking away their right to be self-determining, and right to development, which are fundamental human rights.
“Most advanced countries mandate that children remain in school till they turn 17 to ensure they get as much education as possible, given that in most systems, they can complete secondary education.
“In Nigeria, education is not compulsory. Nigeria has the most number of out-of-school children in the world (20 million).
“Barring children from accessing higher education till they turn 18 does not guarantee them the security of staying in secondary school till they turn 18. A break in their education might mean the end of their education.
“It is amusing that the government has a minimum age for accessing tertiary education but no minimum age for marriage!
“Thousands of girls are withdrawn from school and married off before they are equipped physically, psychologically and/or economically to contend with marriage and the responsibilities it comes with.
“Even in countries where there are minimum access age, there are exceptions for exceptionally gifted children to access tertiary education or their curriculum before they attain the minimum age.
Another retrogressive policy — ANEEJ
Executive Director, Africa Network for Environmental and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, Rev David Ugolor, disagreed with the policy, describing it as retrogressive.
Ugolor accused policymakers of having their children school abroad and failing to consider children back home.
He said: “This is another retrogressive policy that will retard the progress of the country. Unfortunately, most of the policy makers have their families outside the country and they continue to release policies that have no basis for progress.
“The issue of age looks absurd, considering global best practice. I would like to see evidence why this policy will be a good option because the government hardly cares about data.”
Suspend policy immediately – ERC
Similarly, the National Coordinator of Education Rights Campaign, ERC, Hassan Taiwo Soweto, called for immediate suspension of the policy because the minister did not follow due consultation before making such a directive.
“We ask for the immediate suspension of this policy, pending democratic consultation by stakeholders in the education sector. Our call for suspension is based on the following.
‘’First and foremost, the sudden enforcement of this policy has negative implications for thousands of young people who have applied for admission into tertiary institutions and were supremely qualified to do so until the minister of education suddenly decided to enforce this policy.
“As far as we are concerned, we do not agree that the lives and future of our young ones should be forfeited as a result of this policy, which has been dormant for years. Many of these young children and aspiring undergraduates knew nothing about it.
‘’They applied to primary school at an early age, completed this, and moved on to secondary school meritoriously. It is not their fault they graduated from secondary school at an age earlier than the standard prescribed in law, so they should not be punished for something they know nothing about.
“Two, the minister cannot suddenly wake up to remember a policy that has been dormant for years and begin to enforce it just like that. Where is the space for consultation? Where is the respect for the public?
‘’This policy has been routinely flouted by school authorities for decades. The greatest culprits are private primary and secondary schools, which admit pupils at ages earlier than what the standard prescribes.
‘’To make matters worse, the policy of double and triple promotions of brilliant students by these private schools has added to the distortion of educational standards by ensuring that many pupils jump over different stages of their education.
“These are the issues the minister should address first. Where is the inspectorate directorate of the Ministry of Education in all these? To us, what should be enforced first is the respect of school authorities for laid down educational standards.
‘’What the Ministry of education is trying to do now is to ambush students when the real problem is the irresponsibility of the ministry towards the discharge of its function as a monitoring and inspectorate agency for both public and private schools.
“The last reason we are calling for suspension is that this policy does not appear relevant to our reality at present, especially at a period when our understanding and conception of the age of adolescence and adulthood is evolving before our very eyes.
‘’Particularly, in this millennium, adulthood often comes earlier than 18 years. This is why many countries in the world are reviewing the legal framework for the age of adulthood in their respective jurisdictions.
“At the same time, we recognise the concern that many have, that children are being robbed of their childhood because of the demand and pressure of early and rushed education. This is a valid concern, but it is not something that can be imposed, especially by a Ministry of Education that has been brazenly irresponsible in the discharge of its functions.
“We need a middle point, and the only way to arrive at that is to subject this policy to a thorough discussion by stakeholders before rushing to enforce it.
‘’To this extent, we ask the minister to convene a summit of stakeholders in the education sector, including parents, unions, and civil society organisations, to have a thorough discussion that can link Nigeria’s national policy on education with current realities. In the meantime, this policy should be immediately suspended.”
Policy’ll lead to capital flight — Don
Also, a university lecturer, Dr Stella Aririguzuh, said the policy would lead to capital flight.
Aririguzuh, who is the Head, Department of Mass Communication, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, said this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sango-Ota yesterday.
“More parents will send their children to schools outside Nigeria, further depleting our resources,” Aririguzuh said.
She explained that the policy would kill the zeal of students to push themselves to achieve more in their younger days.
Aririguzuh, however, noted that the advantage of the policy was that the country would have matured students coming into the universities.
CHRICED, Northern Youths Blast FG over policy
In their reactions yesterday, the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education, CHRICED, and Arewa Youth Assembly faulted the policy, describing it as absurd and unconstitutional.
According to Dr. Zikirullahi Ibrahim, Executive Director of CHRICED, the policy violates the 1999 Constitution which lists education as a concurrent responsibility of local governments, states, and the Federal Government.
Dr. Ibrahim noted that the federal government’s move was absurd and doubted anyone would comply with it.
He warned that the policy might lead to increased forgery and age falsification, undermining its intended purpose.
He stated: “I believe this is the problem we face with the current regime; the government continually makes ‘wrong’ decisions.
“Education is part of the concurrent list in the 1999 constitution, as amended. Local government councils and states also have roles to play in education. Is the Federal Government attempting to override that section of the constitution?
“If a state government decides not to comply with the Federal Government and the SSCE is conducted nationally, will the state be exempted?
“Therefore, the Federal Government’s move is absurd, and I’m not sure anyone will comply with it. Such actions may push Nigerians toward forgery of birth certificates and age falsification.
“Every child has unique potential and is endowed differently. Insisting that 18 years is the minimum age for WASSCE will not work; it is a flawed idea because Nigerians are unlikely to comply.”
Reacting in the same vein, Mohammed Danlami, Coordinator of Arewa Youth Assembly, argued that the policy will hinder Nigeria’s progress by stifling the intellectual growth of young prodigies.
He questioned whether rapid promotions due to natural intelligence or intellectual gifts should be halted because of age.
Danlami also raised concerns about its impact on Nigeria’s education system, already plagued by ASUU strikes and prolonged JAMB registration processes.
He stated: “Some students experience rapid promotions due to their natural intelligence or intellectual gifts. Are we going to halt their educational advancements because of their age? This is not the kind of law we need in Nigeria.
“If we can have university graduates at 18, it should be a source of pride for the nation. Do we want to be a country that graduates its youth at the age 30 or 35?
“If we want Nigeria to progress, we should focus on empowering our young people early in life. How do we harness their agility and idealistic perspectives? By educating them early and helping them graduate in their early twenties.
“With ASUU strikes and multiple attempts at JAMB before admission, many may not graduate before turning 30. In the job market, employers prefer graduates in their early twenties.”
Wale Edun, minister of finance, says the whistleblowing policy has helped the federal government to recover N83 billion, $609 million, and €5 million.
Edun spoke on Wednesday at a one-day sensitisation workshop on implementing the policy in Nigeria.
The policy was introduced by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016, but attempts to enact a legislative framework have failed repeatedly.
“The policy has already shown promise, with significant recoveries made since its inception in 2016,” Edun said.
“The whistleblowing policy has recovered funds totalling N83,019,178,375.86; $609,083,391.91; 5,494,743.71 Euros between 2017 and 2023.”
Edun, however, said more needs to be done to encourage Nigerians to own the fight against corruption and report financial misappropriation.
The minister said the bill is being prepared and will be presented to the national assembly soon.
He said the proposed bill seeks to provide a robust legal framework for protecting whistleblowers and ensure that reports are handled with confidentiality and prompt action.
Edun assured of the Tinubu-led administration’s commitment to ensuring that the policy is pursued with strict compliance with the rule of law to achieve transparency and accountability in governance.
‘POLICY PROVEN TO BE A TOOL IN UNCOVERING CORRUPT PRACTICES’
In his remarks, Okokon Ekanem Udo, the permanent secretary of special duties at the ministry, said the whistleblower policy, since its inception, has proven to be one of the veritable tools in uncovering corrupt practices within the public and private sectors.
Udo said it intends to empower citizens to report identified misappropriation of public funds and other fraudulent activities to the relevant authorities, thereby contributing towards the institutionalisation of transparency and accountability in governance.
The permanent secretary said the implementation of the policy has encountered some challenges just like other government policies.
“At the initial stage, there was widespread enthusiasm on the part of Nigerians about the introduction of the policy. The momentum and popularity that heralded its introduction need to be reinforced and sustained,” he said.
Udo said the sensitisation workshop was designed to deepen the understanding of the policy in Nigeria and also foster cooperation among the key stakeholders.
These stakeholders, he said, include the implementing team, the civil society organisations, as well as members of the media.
Also speaking, Lydia Shehu Jafiya, permanent secretary at the ministry, said it is important to focus on strengthening the protection of whistleblowers and safeguarding their identities.
This, she said, would encourage more individuals to come forward and contribute to the fight against corruption and misconduct.
Jafiya, who was represented by Olusola Dada, the ministry’s director of human resources, said there is a need to improve reporting mechanisms to make reporting channels more accessible, user-friendly and effective.
“It is essential that these mechanisms not only facilitate the reporting of concerns but also ensure that those concerns are addressed promptly and transparently,” Jafiya said.
She said the journey towards an effective whistleblowing regime is a collaborative effort.
According to the statement, with the reinvigoration of the whistleblower policy, the government aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public finances and preserve the country’s assets.
The ministry said the draft bill is a significant step towards achieving this goal and demonstrates the government’s commitment to fighting corruption and promoting good governance.