The National Universities Commission, NUC, has given full accreditation status to five programmes of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State.
A correspondence to the University from the Director of Accreditation, Dr. Maryam Sali, has the programmes listed: Fisheries and Aquaculture, Performing Arts, Mathematics, Microbiology, and Mass Communication.
It will be recalled that NUC carries out periodic accreditation exercise of programmes on offer in all Nigerian universities.
Responding to the development, the Vice Chancellor of AAUA, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, appreciated the efforts of the nation’s universities regulatory body at ensuring quality and high standard of programmes in Nigerian universities.
Prof. Ige thanked the Visitor to the University and Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, for giving special support to the accreditation exercise which was held between October and November, 2021.
The VC who appreciated the staff for their commitment and steadfastness, also noted that the University would continue to maintain the high standard of all its programmes.
The Ondo state Government, has revealed that the present administration of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is committed to addressing various challenges facing members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in the state as raised by the new leadership of the Union.
This is just as the Union expressed deep appreciation to the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for approving the recruitment of widows of two late journalists namely Olubunmi Afunye and Stephen Sotanwa who died in an armed robbery attack at Ilara Mokin and road accident on Akure-Ondo road respectively.
Both deceased formerly worked with OSRC/Orange FM media group.
These were the highpoints of discussions when Pastor Niran Adeyemo, the Ondo State Head of Service, received in his office in Akure on Tuesday the new State NUJ Executives led by the Chairman, Comrade Leke Adegbite who paid him familiarisation visit.
Adegbite had earlier demanded the appointment of qualified senior members of the Union as Permanent Secretaries; Creation of Local Government Information Department; Promotion of qualified Staff of the state Ministry of Information; Payment of gratuities owing Retired Staff of Owena Press (The Hope newspaper) and incorporation of the newspaper into the State Civil Service.
The NUJ Chairman explained that the media and information sector remains a pivotal to the achievement and success of various laudable projects of the state government, hence the need for the present administration to sustain its support to the media industry.
Adegbite also applauded Governor Akeredolu for acting promptly on a letter of the Union sometimes last year on the need to employ the two widows of the late media professionals to enable them cater for children of the deceased.
He said, “On behalf of our Great union, I want to sincerely express our appreciation to Mr Governor for graciously ordering immediate recruitment of wives of our two late members following a letter I wrote on behalf of our Union when I was the General Secretary.
“We also want thank you Sir as the HoS and the SA to the Governor on Union matters and Special Duties, Mr Dare Aragbaiye, for your efforts in making this a reality. We thank God that the two of them had since assumed duties as civil servants since January this. We will remain grateful to Mr Governor for this compassionate gesture,” Adegbite said.
Responding, the State Head of Service, Pastor Adeyemo said the state government was working hard to reposition the civil service, saying promotion into Directorate cadre would henceforth be subjected to availability of vacancies.
On various issues raised by the NUJ, Adeyemo said the state government would look into them and take appropriate actions that would be in the best interest of both sides.
The HoS encouraged NUJ to ensure its members subscribe to the state Contributory Pension Scheme and the Health Insurance Scheme in order to further reduce various challenges facing workforce.
Adeyemo who officially congratulated the new NUJ Executives, enjoined media professionals in the state to continue to support and promote numerous giant strides of the Akeredolu’s administration.
As Christians world over celebrate this year’s Easter, the Vice Chancellor, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Professor Olugbenga Ige, has congratulated and rejoiced with the entire staff and students of the University on the unique occasion.
Prof. Ige described Easter as symbolic as it marks the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ which occurs three days after His crucifixion.
The VC, in his Easter message, specifically encouraged all to imbibe and display Christ’s ideals of love, selflessness, perseverance and compassion in all their endeavours.
“It has pleased the Almighty God to allow you and I to witness another Easter celebration. As you are aware, Easter is symbolic as it marks the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ which occurs three days after His crucifixion.
“I, therefore, on behalf of the Management of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, congratulate the entire staff and students of the University on this unique occasion of celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
“As Easter commemorates the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, who demonstrated selfless love by yielding to the divine will when he laid down His life to reconcile us back to our maker, I encourage you all to imbibe and display Christ’s ideals of love, selflessness, perseverance and compassion in all your endeavours.
“There is no better time than this challenging period to demonstrate the Christ-like love to one another by sharing whatever the Lord has provided for us.
“Once again, I warmly rejoice with all members of the University community. I wish you happy Easter celebration”, the message added.
The Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, Prof. Emmanuel Fasakin, has congratulated and rejoiced with Christian brothers and sisters in the Polytechnic and Nigeria in general on the occasion of this year’s Easter celebration.
Prof. Fasakin particularly enjoined Christian faithful to reflect on the reason for the season by showing love, forgiveness and be a source of happiness to the less privileged and the needy in the Society.
The Rector, in his Easter message, also called on Christian brothers and sisters to use the occasion to pray for Nigeria to overcome its present challenges for the good of all and sundry.
“I seize this auspicious moment to warmly congratulate and felicitate with our Christain Brothers and Sisters in Federal Polytechnic Ile-Oluji,Ondo State and Nigeria at large on the observance of this year’s Easter celebration.
“The humble birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, His teachings and subsequent travails and death should be a lesson for all of us that, there is a season for everything and that whatever we do while on earth would be remembered after our passage.
“Let us in conformity with Christ’s teachings, be submissive to God Almighty, radiate love, peace, humility and be a source of happiness, rather than sorrow, to the less privileged and the needy in our Society.
“Let us also seize this occasion to pray for our dear Country, Nigeria, to overcome its present challenges for the good of all and sundry.
“Once again, accept my warm assurances and felicitations on this Easter Celebration”, he said.
The Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji, Ondo State is set to hold a combined Matriculation Ceremony for all Full-Time Higher National Diploma (HND1) and National Diploma (ND1) Students for 2021/2022 Academic Session.
The ceremony is slated for Thursday, 14th April, 2022, at the Polytechnic’s Twin Auditorium by 10:00 am prompt.
According to a statement by the Registrar and Secretary to Council, Gabriel Awe, mnim, the Polytechnic Rector, Prof. Emmanuel Adedayo Fasakin, will preside over the Matriculation Ceremony with other Principal Officers and Heads of Departments in attendance.
The statement enjoined all matriculating students to assemble at the venue by 9:30 am for the academic procession.The management wished all matriculating students a rewarding academic career in the institution.
The former National Secretary of the Labour Party and Convener, Progressives Lawyers for Osinbajo, Kayode Ajulo, has said that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s declaration to run for president is an ambition for all Nigerians.
He said that the Vice President has the ambition of over 200 million Nigerians and is willing to move the nation forward.
The legal luminary stated this on Monday when he appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s Breakfast Programme, Sunrise Daily.
“What we are talking about is the generality of people not the ambition of one man; this is about the future, wellbeing and aspiration of the Nigerian people.
“Several people have been calling him to run because they have seen something in him. This is about a leader who is responsive enough for the yearning of the people and he has come to respond to it”, he stressed.
Ajulo noted that Professor Osinbajo has been, for the last seven years, visiting everybody and places.
“Osinbajo is the longest-serving Vice President that has the Confidence of his principal and his people, everywhere he worked,” he explained.
Also, Professor Yahaya Babe of the Department of Political Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, says the Vice President’s move is a very witty decision he has taken and would have consulted widely within the party and outside the part and with his principal officers.
He said Osinbajo has been transformed into a politician and has the capacity to lead the country, making reference to the 6 months period when President Muhammadu Buhari was away on medical treatment and the Vice President stood in for him.
“The trust has transformed the vice president not only a politician of his own time but equipped him with the knowledge and skills that are required to penetrate the political device,” Professor Yahaya added.
On the debates about zoning, the professor said that it will not affect the Vice President’s declaration, stating that all the aspirants need to come together and have a discussion.
Their comments come hours after Osinbajo formally declared his intention to run for President in 2023.
His declaration ends months of speculation over his interest in the 2023 presidential race and widens the pool of candidates for the position.
It also puts him in direct confrontation with his former boss in Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who signalled his intention earlier in the year.
“I am today, with utmost humility, formally declaring my intention to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the platform of our great party, the All Progressives Congress,” Osinbajo said in a video obtained by Channels Television.
The Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, has congratulated the newly inaugurated members of executive of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, FES, FNCF, in a statement on Saturday, expressed confidence that the new members of Executive, under the Chairmanship of Prince Leke Adegbite, would justify the confidence reposed in them by their colleagues by providing enviable and purposeful leadership and services to the Union and the people of the State.
“No doubt, your emergence is not unconnected with your antecedents within the Fourth Estate of the realm.
“As a University, we are confident that the new Members of Executive, under the Chairmanship of Prince Leke Adegbite, would justify the confidence reposed in them by their colleagues by providing enviable and purposeful leadership and services to the Union and the people of Ondo State.
“We are also hoping that the new leadership of the Union will continue to uphold the ethics of the noble profession and take the Council to an enviable height.
“Please, accept the warm and esteemed regards of the Management, Staff and Students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko.
“We wish you a fruitful tenure. Congratulations!”, the statement said.
The General Manager, Ondo State Waste Management Authority (ODSWMA), Rev. (Mrs) Ayo Adeyemo, has had another feather in her cap as she was conferred with the Direct Professional Fellowship award by the National Executive Council of the Institute of Corporate Executives of Nigeria (ICEN).
Mrs Adeyemo was conferred with the prestigious award on Thursday at a one-day zonal management conference and conferment of awards, held at the Federal Secretariat Conference Hall, Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The theme of the conference is, “Promoting Business Ethics and Integrity among Nigerian Managers”.
The ceremony was attended by top government functionaries including the state Head of Service and spouse of the awardee, Pastor John Adeyemo.
The ICEN specifically lauded the General Manager for her outstanding achievements and remarkable intelligence, adding that her dint of hard work as well as her managerial capability earned her nomination for the award.
The Institute described Adeyemo as a role model who has distinguished herself in her chosen career, noting that other female managers and accounting officers in all sectors should emulate her.
“This Fellowship package admits you into the Institute’s Membership register as one who has distinguished herself in administrative and corporate matters which qualifies you to append the designatory letters: “FICEN” after your name”, Dr. David Obioma who spoke on behalf of the National Executive Council said.
Responding after receiving the award, Mrs Adeyemo appreciated the Institute’s leadership for the honour done her.
She promised to continue to do her best for the benefit of mankind and the development of society in general.
The General Manager, Ondo State Waste Management Authority (ODSWMA), Rev. (Mrs) Ayo Adeyemo, has had another feather in her cap as she was conferred with the Direct Professional Fellowship award by the National Executive Council of the Institute of Corporate Executives of Nigeria (ICEN).
Mrs Adeyemo was conferred with the prestigious award on Thursday at a one-day zonal management conference and conferment of awards, held at the Federal Secretariat Conference Hall, Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The theme of the conference is, “Promoting Business Ethics and Integrity among Nigerian Managers”.
The ceremony was attended by top government functionaries including the state Head of Service and spouse of the awardee, Pastor John Adeyemo.
The ICEN specifically lauded the General Manager for her outstanding achievements and remarkable intelligence, adding that her dint of hard work as well as her managerial capability earned her nomination for the award.
The Institute described Adeyemo as a role model who has distinguished herself in her chosen career, noting that other female managers and accounting officers in all sectors should emulate her.
“This Fellowship package admits you into the Institute’s Membership register as one who has distinguished herself in administrative and corporate matters which qualifies you to append the designatory letters: “FICEN” after your name”, Dr. David Obioma who spoke on behalf of the National Executive Council said.
Responding after receiving the award, Mrs Adeyemo appreciated the Institute’s leadership for the honour done her.
She promised to continue to do her best for the benefit of mankind and the development of society in general.
My attention has been drawn to the judgment of a Federal High Court sitting in Umaiha which declared the provisions of Section 84 (12) of the fledging Electoral Act, 2022 as unconstitional, null and void.
In a rather obfuscating manner, the Learned trial judge further directed the Attorney General of the Federation to “delete” the said section of the Act.
While the position of our Laws are clear to the effect that judgments of courts are vaild until set aside on appeal, no matter how erroneous they might be, however, considering the ratio decidendi of the decision of the court viz-a-viz the expidency and imminent consequence of the decision of the court on our political administration and party politics, it is therefore imperative to pensively dissect the judgment of the court in the light of the spirit of the Constitution and position of the Apex Court.
*Power of Court to Declare an Act of the National Assembly Unconstitutional*
Let us get a point clear, it is undoubted that Courts of Superior record by virtue of Section 6 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), have the power to declare an Act of the National Assembly unconstitutional, null and void to the extent of its inconsistency.
Moreso, plethora of authorities have established the principle that where a provision of an enactment by the legislature conflicts with the express provision of the Constitution, the said extant law shall be declared null and void. That is the essence of S1(3) of the 1999 constitution as Amended. It provides that “If any other law is inconsistent with the provision of this constitution, this constitution shall prevail, and that other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void”
It is however instructive to note that in cases where legislation is contested for being in conflict with provisions of the Constitution, the courts have only one duty: “to lay the article of the Constitution which is invoked beside the statute which is challenged and to decide whether the latter squares with the former… See the cases of U.S. v. Butler et al (1936) 297 U.S 1 (and Marwa & Ors v. Nyako & Ors (1980) LPELR-2936 (SC).
In the case under review, the learned trial judge noted that the provision of Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act is inconsistent with the provision of Sections 66 (1) (f), 107(1) (f), 137 (1) (f) and 182 (1) (f) of the Constitution.
Suffices to state that a pensive justapoxing of the Sections of the Constitution relied upon by the learned trial judge require persons employed in the public service of either the federal government or state governments.
What is more, the provision of Section 318 of the Constitution as to who qualifies as a public servant is unambiguous. Similarly, decisions of Court abound on this clear position. See Dada V. Adeyeye (2005) 6 NWLR (Pt. 920), Ojonye V. Onu & ORS (2018) LPELR-44223) where the appellate Courts have held that political appointees or political office holders are not public servants as provided for under the Constitution.
It therefore implies that the decision of court, with respect, is per incuriam and the ratio of court cannot find coverage under the Sections of the Constitution cited by the learned trial judge to arrive at the decision.
Based on the doctrine of judicial precedents, it is quite apposite that the Appellate Court will set aside the decision of the trial court.
*On forum shopping and failure to join the National Assembly as a Necessary Party* .
For those who have mind to think, the perdurable questions to ask include:
Why was the suit filed in far away Umaiha, Abia State?
Why were the National Assembly and Independent National Electoral Commission not joined as parties to the suit?
To answer these thought provoking questions, attention must be readily drawn to the fact that the National Assembly who is the authority empowered by Section 4 and 228 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Independent National Electoral Commission who is empowered to regualte the conduct of elecrion in Nigeria by virtue of Section 153 of the Constitution respectively ought to have been joined by the Plaintiff as necessary parties to the action.
While it is not the duty of a judge to force on a Plaintiff the party to be sued, however judicial authorities abound to the effect that where a judge considers that a necesssry party has not been joined to an action, it can suo motu make an order for the joinder of such necessary party.
Without prejudice to the decision of the learned trial judge, we must reiterate that confidence in the judciariy must be upheld by all means and a reasonable man at all 1time must be able to retain his confidence in same. We must not allow political jiggery-pokery and desperacy destroy the fabrics of the Nigerian Judiciary. By way of allusion to the words of Niki Tobi JSC (of blessed memory) in the case of Buhari v INEC & Ors. (2008) LPELR-814(SC), the learned legal luminary from his wealth of wisdom advised on the need to be circumspect on issues bothering on politics and the judiciary thus:
The two professions do not meet and will never meet at all in our democracy in the discharge of their functions. While politics as a profession is fully and totally based on partiality, most of the time, judgeship as a profession is fully and totally based on impartiality, the opposite of partiality. Bias is the trade mark of politicians. Non-bias is the trade mark of the Judge. That again creates a scenario of superlatives in the realm of opposites. Therefore the expressions, “politician” and “Judge” are opposites, so to say, in their functional contents as above; though not in their ordinary dictionary meaning. Their waters never meet in the same way Rivers Niger and Benue meet at the confluence near Lokoja. If they meet, the victim will be democracy most of the time.
*The judgment of the court is a Bobby trap for the ruling All Progressives Congress*
The reaction of the Federal Government and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation to the evanescent decision of the Court leaves too much to be desired of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
It is instructive to note that the Peoples Democratic Party including other prominent political parties has concluded its Convention, if the All Progressives Congress should rely on the ephemeral judgment of the Court and proceed to permit Political Appointees vote and contest at its primaries and conventions, same is a disaster going somewhere to happen.
What readily comes to mind is the decision of the Supreme Court in Zamfara State where the Apex Court held that there were no validly elected candidates in the various elective position in the state from the APC.
In lending my two cents, it is not a triumph neither is it z time for drunk fanfare for the All Progressive Congress. The leadership of the party must be very circumspect in preventing a repeat of what happened in Zamfara State.
*Conclusion*
It is quite glaring that the tale of the future of the provision of Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act is not that of an unrivalled woe, the National Assembly and Independent National Electoral Commission have a right to challenge the decision of the trial court as same is likely to set aside on appeal.
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