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ASUU Strike Under Buhari’s Govt. Hits 584 Days, Longest ever

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has set an unenviable document of 584 days and nonetheless counting because the variety of days Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have gone on strike since 2015.

The nationwide president of ASUU, Emmanuel Osodeke, on Tuesday, August 16 said that there are hopes that the lecturers would return to their lecture room as the problems of IPPIS and UTAS have been put to relaxation as agreed with the federal authorities accepting to implement the UTAS cost system.

Nonetheless, with latest growth, ASUU will wait on its nationwide government council (NEC) assembly on Sunday, August 28 to resolve the following line of motion both to name off the strike or in any other case.

Below the President Buhari-led authorities, ASUU has laid down instruments nearly in seven years of the eight years of the administration. It was solely in 2015 that his administration recorded a zero strike of the lecturers.

In 2016, ASUU went on strike for 7 days, and in 2017 it witnessed 35days of the strike. In 2018, ASUU downed instruments for 19 days and this continued until February 8, 2019. 2020 witnessed a whopping 9 months of ASUU strike following its disagreement with the federal authorities over the funding of the colleges and implementation of the cost system.

Many Nigerians thought that the general public universities had been going to expertise a strike–free educational periods having come off the pandemic trauma in 2020 just for this ugly educational monster to step on stage once more on February 14, 2022, and is now on its 185 days and nonetheless counting.

President Olusegun Obasanjo’s eight years administration didn’t entice as many strikes as seen in Buhari’s seven years and a few months. ASUU went on strike for 541 days beneath Obasanjo’s administration.

From 2007 to 2010 President Umar Yar’dua, ASUU had 127 days of strike motion. The quick former President Goodluck Jonathan’s authorities from 2010 to 2015 skilled 359 days of ASUU strike.

ASUU has maintained amongst different issues that the federal authorities should implement the renegotiated 2009 settlement, jettison the Built-in Payroll and Personnel Info System (IPPIS) for the College Transparency Accountability Answer (UTAS), and many others.

Many Nigerians are nervous that the federal authorities beneath the management of President Buhari is wasteful.

Federal Govt. Charges Nigerian Students Abroad To Be Law Abiding

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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The federal government has charged Nigerian students studying in foreign countries to be law abiding, saying they must avoid things that could obstruct their academic success.

This came as the European Union,EU disclosed that Nigerians was trailing behind Pakistan as the second most benefiting country in its postgraduate scholarships.

Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, who gave the advice, Tuesday Abuja, at a pre-departure orientation ceremony of the postgraduate scholarships awardees, hailed the EU for the gesture.

Speaking through his representative and Director, Federal Scholarship Board, Asta Ndajiwo, the minister hailed the EU delegation and the ECOWAS for organising the event for Nigerians students, just as he congratulated the awardees.

The benefiaries are to study in the best European universities, under the Erasmus Plus Programme,an initiative of the European Union, which is aimed at enhancing quality higher education through scholarships and academic cooperation between the Union all countries of the world.

EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi, speaking at the ceremony, said 200 Nigerians have benefited from the scheme since 2019.

She explained that the numbers increased from 44 winners to 93 in 2020, 133 in 2021 and now 200 in 2022, revealing that Nigeria moved from 6th position to second, next to Pakistan, in the ranking of countries benefiting from the programme.

She explained that this year’s awardees of the
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships
was selected by a consortium of top European universities.

The awardees,she said, would have the opportunity to visit up to six countries across Europe during their period of stay, adding that the programme was aimed at connecting and uniting young people across the globe.

“This is a master postgraduate master degree program that will run for 12 or 24 months, Nigerian awardees will go to 75 different universities in 20 different countries across Europe, including 18 European Union member states. During that period, they will have the opportunity to visit up to six countries across Europe.

“In three years since 2019, Nigeria has been able to quadruple the number of students participating in the program. Moving from the sixth to the second position right behind Pakistan. Nigerian awardees were just 44 in 2019 then the number increased to 93 in 2020 to 133 last year to reach the record number of over 200 this year.

“This makes us very proud and you have to be very proud. We know that it’s not enough because the potential of Nigeria is really very, high and that’s why we want to work together with you and with the federal government for these numbers to keep growing in the next few years.

“On education, we have decided to combine the traditional pre-departure orientation event with a study in Europe fair. We expect to receive today more than 2000 visitors today in just the first time we organized this fair in a few months, we promise we can meet to make it bigger next year,”she said.

On his part,the Deputy Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission,NUC, Chris Maiyaki described the development as a laudable achievement, saying it was a proud moment for Nigeria.

He hailed EU for its tremendous support and contributions in generating, disseminating and expanding the frontiers of knowledge to develop Nigerian manpower.

Education: Nigerians Are Equal To Their Foreign Counterparts— Minister

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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The Minister for Youths and Sports Development , Sunday Dare, said on Wednesday in Abuja that Nigerian youths are not inferior to their international counterparts due to their exceptional educational skills.

The minister said this at the 2022 Pre-Departure Orientation for over 200 young Nigerians who had received the post graduate scholarship offered by the European Union (EU) which would run concurrently under its Erasmus+ pragramme.

Dare, who was represented by Olufemi Adeagbo, Special Adviser to the minister, says he was delighted by the initiative of the bloc to engage young Nigerians to pursue their education in Europe.

“ I am even more delighted to know that a record number had been awarded the prestigious Erasmus scholarship to study in various EU universities this year.

“The uninitiated and for those that might not know this programme provide opportunities for over four million participants to study, trained, get experience and do some volunteering.

“These scholarships are in the fields of education, training, youths in sports from 2021 to 2027, placing very strong focus on social inclusion, grid and digital transition and also promoting young people’s participation in democratic life.

“All these form the core of my mandate as the minister of youths and sports development in Nigeria.

“ I therefore use this opportunity to wish the Nigerians beneficiaries of these programmes a very best of luck and they make the most of this opportunity,’’ he said.

Erasmus+ is the EU’s programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe with an estimated budget of 26.2 billion euro.

The 2021-2027 programme places a strong focus on social inclusion, the green and digital transition, and promoting young people’s participation in democratic life

Kwara State: Ogele Primary Health Center Receive Medical Equipment

By
Olasunbo Okoromi
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The Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, Dr Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, has facilitated medical equipment to Ogele Primary Health Center, Ogele Ward, Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State.

This according to him, is part of his bid to elevate the standard of healthcare delivery across his senatorial district. The intervention came against the backdrop of the growing demands for equitable access to quality health services and stamp out the challenges that stymie the rural dwellers from meeting their health needs.

Speaking at the delivery of the items to the facility, Sen. Oloriegbe, represented by his media aide, Bolaji Aladie, said the intervention is in further fulfillment of his electoral promises to provide essential services to the people in a manner that strengthens inclusive growth, reiterating that his commitment to uplifting the collective wellness remained sacrosanct.

The traditional ruler of the benefiting community, the Aare of Ogele, Alhaji Abubakar Ishola Akanbi, represented by Alhaji Muhammad Mobolaji Amosa, applauded the lawmaker for using his privileged position to better the lots of his constituents, particularly in the area of health interventions.

The Officer-in-Charge of the facility, Hajia Abdullahi Khadijat, on behalf of the management, acknowledged that the equipment would improve their service outputs to the communities patronising the clinic, whilst pledging assurance of judicious utilization of the items as she appreciates the Senator for the gesture extended to their facility.

U. S Varsity Offers PhD Scholarship to 4 LAUTECH Students

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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The Louisiana State University (LSU), Los Angeles in the United States of America (USA) has awarded a fully funded scholarship to the four best graduating students of chemical engineering from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso.

Principal assistant registrar, public and alumni relations unit of LAUTECH,  Olalekan Fadeyi, disclosed this on Tuesday, August 23 in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

Fadeyi revealed that the four students who are Otusanya Gabriel Tobi, Oluwole Titilayo Deborah, Dauda, Monsuru Olatunji, and Balogun Toyeeb Olamide were directly admitted into PhD programme with their first degrees into Louisiana University.

The LAUTECH’s spokesman explained that it was the first time that four graduates of chemical engineering of the institution were admitted into a PhD programme in the same academic session.

“Based on the previous interactions between LAUTECH and LSU, the Department of Chemical Engineering got a call from Louisiana State University to present scholarship awards to the best students from the department.

“The students are Otusanya Gabriel Tobi (Class of 2017), Oluwole Titilayo Deborah (Class of 2018), Dauda, Monsuru Olatunji (Class of 2019) and Balogun Toyeeb Olamide (Class of 2019).

“The development testifies to the dedication of LAUTECH in producing students that can compete with its peer anywhere in the world.

“It also justifies the belief of members of staff of the Department of Chemical Engineering in the ability of its students and presenting them for this opportunity,” he said.

Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) was established on April 23, 1990 under the old Oyo State with the name Oyo State University of Technology, Ogbomosho.

The name was changed in 1991 upon the creation of Osun State out of the then Oyo State.

The university is jointly owned by both states until November 20, 2020 when it became solely owned by the Oyo State government following a mutual agreement between the two states.

Government Wants Multinationals To Take Over Farmlands – Indian farmers

By
Elizabeth Williams
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Farmers protest in Indian capital Delhi. The Protesters broke barricades and shouted slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Indian capital of New Delhi, after thousands of farmers gathered to protest against what they said were unfulfilled promises by the government.
More than eight months after farmers called off a year-long protest and the government conceded to several of their demands, more than 5,000 farmers gathered in the centre of the capital to protest against Modi and his government.


In December, 2021- Indian farmers called off a year-long protest after the government conceded a clutch of demands, including assurances to consider guaranteed prices for all produce, instead of just rice and wheat, union leaders said.
The move comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he would roll back three farm laws, seeking to end the longest-running farmers’ protest that galvanized millions of growers who remained resolute in opposing the legislation.

Fleet of Hydrogen Passenger Trains Begins Service In Germany

By
Elizabeth Williams
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German officials launched what they say is the world’s first fleet of hydrogen-powered passenger trains Wednesday, replacing 15 diesel trains that previously operated on nonelectrified tracks in the state of Lower Saxony.
The 14 trains use hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity that powers the engines. The German government has backed expanding the use of hydrogen as a clean alternative to fossil fuels.
State governor Stephan Weil said the 93-million-euro ($92 million) project was an “excellent example” for Lower Saxony’s efforts to make its economy greener.


The trains manufactured by French company Alstom are operated by regional rail company LNVG on routes between the northern towns of Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervoerde and Buxtehude.
Alstom says the Coradia iLint trains have a range of up to 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) and a maximum speed of 140 kph (87 mph). By using hydrogen produced with renewable energy the trains will save 1.6 million liters (more than 422,000 gallons) of diesel fuel a year.
The hydrogen is currently produced as a byproduct in chemical processes, but German specialty gas company Linde plans to manufacture it locally using only renewable energy within three years.

Whistleblower Could Help Musk With Legal Battle as Twitter Suffers Reputation Problems

By
Elizabeth Williams
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A whistleblower’s complaint that Twitter Inc misled federal regulators about the company’s security risks could provide Elon Musk with fresh ammunition in his bid to get out of buying the company for $44 billion.
Until now, Musk’s legal showdown with Twitter has primarily centered around claims that the company misled the billionaire about the number of bot and spam accounts on its platform.
The whistleblower complaint by Twitter’s former security chief Peiter Zatko gives Musk new angles to pursue in his legal battle, such as claims that Twitter failed to disclose weaknesses in its security and data privacy.

Canada, Germany Sign New Hydrogen Export Deal

By
Elizabeth Williams
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Canadian and German leaders signed a ‘hydrogen alliance’ aimed at accelerating efforts to export clean fuel to Germany by 2025.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signed a deal on Tuesday for Germany to import green hydrogen from Canada.
The two leaders signed the deal in the port town of Stephenville, Newfoundland.
The first deliveries are expected in just three years. Germany seeks options as it tries to move away from Russian gas
hydrogen is a clean, versatile fuel that doesn’t produce any direct greenhouse gas emissions — all it takes to release the energy is oxygen, and the only byproduct is water.
In principle, hydrogen can serve as a basis for fuels to replace coal, oil and natural gas in industry and transport. Because its production is very energy-intensive, hydrogen is currently still significantly more expensive than fossil fuels.
Both LNG and green hydrogen are seen as medium-term solutions and will not be able to help Germany in the next few months. Canada does not yet have the means to export LNG internationally, and the production of green hydrogen is still in its infancy.
Industry has long been in on the benefits and has been using hydrogen for decades in the petrochemicals sector — mainly for oil refining, producing ammonia for fertilizers, and in the production of methanol and steel. But it has also been touted as a means of speeding up our transition to clean energy. Even the European Commission has described hydrogen as “the missing part of the puzzle to a fully decarbonized economy”.

TETFund Moves To End Foreign Publications’ Dominance, Sponsors 10

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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0


Federal government of Nigeria has moved to end the dominance of foreign publications in the nation’s higher education institutions as it unveiled 10 new textbooks sponsored by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

Speaking at the public presentation of the books in Abuja, the minister of education, Adamu Adamu, said the dependence on foreign academic publications portends great danger to the nation’s education sector, adding that boosting indigenous authorship would address the problem.

He said the paucity of indigenously authored and produced tertiary level textbooks and related academic publications in the nation’s tertiary education institutions is a known fact overtime.

Adamu, who was represented by the minister of state for education, Goodluck Opiah, said Nigeria’s tertiary education institutions became dependent on books published outside the country with the attendant consequences of the pressure on the demand for foreign exchange.

He said: “It is equally worrisome that the quality of most academic publications in our country leaves much to be desired. It is therefore expected that nurturing the culture of quality authorship and the production of indigenous books will not only ensure the availability of relevant books in the diverse subject areas that take cognizance of our local environment and sensitivities but will also safeguard national pride and reduce the demand for foreign exchange.”

He commended TETFund for establishing the higher education book development project to tackle scarcity of tertiary level textbooks which has before now reached a crisis proportion, while hailing the fund for putting in place the technical advisory group (TAG) whose mandate includes collaboratively working with the agency to ensure quality books are churned out by Nigerian authors.

Also speaking, executive secretary of TETFund, Arc Sonny Echono, who expressed delight over the quality of the 10 books, said additional 30 books sponsored by the fund would be unveiled before the end of the year even as he assured of the readiness of the agency to sponsor production of 50 textbooks in 2023.

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