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FUTO: ASUU Panel Confirms Pantami Appointment as Professor

Rhoda Onuzulike
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FUTO: ASUU Panel Confirms Pantami Appointment as Professor

The panel set up by the  Academic Staff Union of University, ASUU, chapter of  Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO, has said the appointment of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami,  as a professor of Cyber-Security by the university followed due process.

Recall that the panel was inaugurated by ASUU chapter of the university at its congress on September 22nd, 2021.

The panel in its report, asked the university management to protect the integrity of FUTO by taking steps to correct some misrepresentations against it.

Among other measures, the panel recommended a legal action against those who attempted to stain the reputation of the university.

Members of the committee  included Prof. M. S. Nwakaudu (Chairman),  Prof. G.A. Anyanwu; Prof. C. E. Orji, Prof. O.P. Onyewuchi, and Prof.T. I. N. Ezejiofor (member/Secretary).


The panel explained in detail, how Pantami applied for a professorial appointment and the steps taken by the university to grant his request.

The report stated: “FUTO in her quest to be counted in the modem trends in the fields of science, engineering, technology, etc, decided to establish new programmes, such as Forensic Science, Software Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Cybersecurity, Radiography and Radiation Science, etc.

“ FUTO advertised vacancies in the Academic and Academic Support Staff in six schools (namely SICT, SESET, SOES, SOHT, SBMS and SOBS) and 23 departments, which includes Cybersecurity

“ Vacancies advertised   in the Academic Departments (including Cyber Security Department) are for Professor, Reader, Senior Lecturer, etc.


“ The advertisement appeared in two national newspapers (THE SUN and THE GUARDIAN) and interested candidates were invited to apply for the position  which they qualified for.

“Dr. Isa Ibrahim responded and applied for the post of Professor of Cybersecurity. He was given a temporary appointment as Professor of Cybersecurity in the Cyber-security Department, for which he accepted in writing.

“ Dr. Isa Ibrahim’s qualifications include BSc, MSc in Computer Science and MBA all from ATBU, PhD in Computer Information System from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK.

“He is a Fellow and member of some foreign computer science professional societies.

“Dr. Isa Ibrahim was requested to submit details of his publications and productive works for both internal and external assessments. He complied with the request.

“Dr. Isa Ibrahim’s publications and productive works were sent to the Dean of SICT for internal assessment for the purpose of establishment of prima facie case for the professorial appointment.

“The Dean of SICT assessed the publications and productive works using the FUTO guidelines for appointment and promotion and established a prima facie case for Dr. Isa Ibrahim for him to be appointed a Professor of Cybersecurity.

“ The prima facie case for Dr. Isa Ibrahim was presented to the Academic Staff Appraisal and Promotion Committee- Professorial (ASAPC-Professorial) meeting held on 17th March, 2021. The Committee discussed the issue and recommended same for approval by the FUTO Council.

“The Council at its meeting held on the 18th of March, 2021 approved the prima facie case for Dr. Isa Ibrahim to be appointed a Professor of Cybersecurity.

“ Following the approval of the prima facie case, Dr. Isa Ibrahim’s publications and productive works were sent for external assessment.

“ The external assessment returned positive and the council at its meeting of 20th August, 2021 approved his appointment as a Professor of Cybersecurity.

“ Dr. Isa Ibrahim was given a tenure appointment as a Professor of Cybersecurity following his appointment by the FUTO Governing Council.

“Dr. Isa Ibrahim has assumed duties and is currently involved in the teaching of CYB 201 (Fundamentals of Cyber Security), via online and a lead Supervisor of one PhD Student/Staff of Cybersecurity Department.”

As part of its findings, the panel said it interacted with the following stakeholders: University Registrar; the immediate Past Chairman, Committee of Deans; the Dean, School of Information and Communication Technology (SICT); some Deans of Schools who were members of ASAPC-Professional duringthe 2020/2021 Appraisal Year; some Internal Members of the last FUTO Governing Council and the Acting Head, Cybersecurity Department.

The panel insisted that Pantami’s appointment followed due process.

We have submitted a report, NEC will decide finally, says FUTO ASUU chair
Reacting to the report yesterday, Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Federal  University of Technology, FUTO, Owerri, chapter, Christopher Echereobia, said:  “You know we have a hierarchy and procedure.

“The committee was constituted at the instance of the national.  We were directed to do that; we turned in our report last week.

“As I am talking to you, our colleagues from other states have arrived Owerri, we will have a zonal meeting where the report will be presented.

“On the 12th of this month, we will be arriving Abuja for our National Executive Council, NEC, meeting where the report will be looked into and decided.

‘’That is when we can say this is the position of ASUU on it.

“So, ASUU has a procedure and the committee was constituted, based on the directive from the National.

“So by the time, we present it to the NEC of ASUU, whatever NEC, decides on it will be the position of ASUU.’’

Medical Professionals seek Collaboration between Herbal, Orthodox medicine to combat COVID-19

Olasunbo Okoromi
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Medical Professionals seek Collaboration between Herbal, Orthodox medicine to combat COVID-19

A haematology oncologist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Edamisan Temiye, presented an interim report on ongoing clinical trials of IHP Detox Tea as possible phytomedicine for COVID-19 at the Hospital.

The Experts disclosed collaboration between herbal and orthodox medicine practitioners could lead to the effective production of medicines to cure COVID-19.

According to scientists at the 12th edition of Herb Fest 2021, which was held virtually, warned that the country should not neglect the role of herbal medicine in the treatment of various diseases.

Temiye said it was discovered during the trial, that those on Detox Tea got cured of the viruses/diseases faster than those on conventional trials. He stated that pregnant women were not included in the trial, therefore pregnant women cannot take the tea. He said coronaviruses are zoonotic diseases that are associated with the common cold pneumonia and severe acute respiratory syndrome which can also affect the gut.

The medical experts have said collaboration between herbal and orthodox medicine practitioners could lead to the effective production of medicines to suppress COVID-19.

High-profile scientists at the 12th edition of Herb Fest 2021, which was held virtually, opined that the country should not neglect the role of herbal medicine in the treatment of various diseases.

Temiye assured the audience that indeed coronaviruses are responsible for between 15 and 30 percent of common colds. He gave reasons for this study as efforts at developing a vaccine to curtail the spread of the virus.

The haematology oncologist said IHP Detox Tea contains Andrographis, Garcinia kola seed extract and Psidium guava leaf extract. He said one of the numerous purposes of the study was to determine the efficacy and safety of the product when used as an adjuvant. He added that the tea appears to have no deleterious effect on the renal and hepatic functions of those who took the tea in his study. Temiye, however, said larger samples are needed to make statistically meaningful conclusions.

Prof. Omayma A. Eldahshan from the University of Ainshams, Cairo, Egypt, in her presentation said natural products are considered safe and available repository for potential drug target modulators.

Eldahshan said some natural products, present in green and black teas are supporting supplements or nucleus for further drug design and development campaigns.

The two-day natural herbal product expo also had Dr. Elumba Prosper from Cameroon who has a degree in Nursing Science. Prosper said traditional medicine once considered quackery is making a resurgence. Also, he said, not forgetting the history and content of herbalism with the existence of man were many ancient civilizations used herbal medicine to prevent and treat cold and influenza infections.

Director-General, NYSC, Advises Corps Members On Good Conduct

Rhoda Onuzulike
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Director-General, NYSC, Advises Corps Members On Good Conduct

National Youth Service Corps (NYSC ) Members in Nigeria have been advised to be law-abiding and be of good conduct throughout the service year.

The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim gave this advice during his visit to the Permanent Orientation in Anambra State, South-East Nigeria.

Ibrahim, who sensitized the Corps Members on the four Cardinal Programmes of the NYSC, urged them to always obey the NYSC Bye-Laws and the rules and regulations of their places of primary assignments as well as  serve as role models that would leave good legacies after service.

“Please take advantage of the Orientation Course to promote unity and teamwork, and ensure that the spirit of NYSC lives in you forever,” the DG said.

He advised them to study the felt needs of their host communities and initiate laudable projects that would add value to the lives of the residents.

Ibrahim, however pointed out that Corps Members are not expected to use their personal money to execute projects, but rather reach out to people within the community for mobilization of resources.

The Director-General further enjoined them to take advantage of the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme of the Scheme that was initiated to empower them for self-employment.

“Identify your talent, drive your vision with passion and commitment and the sky will be your limit,“ the Director-General said.

He said NYSC Management had partnered financial institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Industry, Heritage Bank and Access Bank among others, towards supporting Corps Members with loans to finance their businesses.

He also said efforts are in top gear for the establishment of NYSC Trust Fund, which would, among other benefits, make funds available to Corps Members for actualization of their business dreams.

The DG appealed to the Corps Members to avoid the wrong usage of Social Media, adding that they should deploy it for the promotion of national unity and integration.


He warned them against unauthorized journeys, while also maintaining that only State Coordinators, and not Corps Employers, could grant them permission to travel within the country.

JAMB Restates Commitment In Remitting Operating Surpluses

Rhoda Onuzulike
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JAMB Restates Commitment In Remitting Operating Surpluses


The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has said it will continue its practice of remitting the operating surpluses, maintaining that it is constitutional.

The board disclosed this on Monday in a statement signed by its Head, Public Affairs, Dr. Fabian Benjamin.

“In line with existing government’s directive which was reiterated recently by the Director of Budget Office, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board would continue its practice of remitting the constitutionally-mandated proportion of its operational surpluses.

”This is a known fact that all underutilized funds by Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, should be returned to the public treasury.

“The board and public-spirited Nigerians are at a loss as to the reason for the various campaigns of calumny being mounted by some individuals who feel that these remittances should not be made,” he said.

“It might interest these arm chair critics that a direct fallout of the remittances was the decision of the Federal Government to reduce the cost of the purchase of the e-pin from N5000 to N3500, the cheapest globally.

“it is a truism in policy making that, certain trends should be observed over a period of time before policy pronouncements are made. Hence, the decision to reduce the price of application documents was contingent upon the observation that even if the price were to be slashed, the Board would be able to conduct its examination unhindered.

“In addition, it might also interest the public to know that never in the history of tertiary institutions in Nigeria have the institutions benefited from the Board’s operations as they now do. For instance, a huge chunk of these surpluses are ploughed back to the tertiary institutions through the National Tertiary Admissions Performance Merit Award and other platforms.”

The Board maintains that the cost of obtaining the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination( UTME) or the Direct Entry (DE) e-pin today is the lowest globally.

“However, the present management of the Board is determined to continue on the path of giving value for money even as it continues to seek ways of further pruning down the cost of conducting the Board’s flagship examination.

“In essence, once these innovative measures which have led to these surpluses are institutionalised, the Board would further look at how to further enhance the registration process to benefit the candidates and the general public the more.

Emenalo Favoured Ahead Of Overmars For Newcastle Job

Emenike Agu
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Emenalo Favoured Ahead Of Overmars For Newcastle Job

Michael Emenalo has emerged as the leading candidate for a Director of Football role at Newcastle United.

The new Saudi-backed ownership is looking to transform the club’s structure on the footballing side of the business, and is looking into creating the position.

Ajax’s Marc Overmars had also been heavily linked with the role, as had Frank McParland, who had previously worked with Liverpool and Rangers.

However, according to the Telegraph, it is the former Chelsea chief who now looks the favourite to take up the vacancy.

Emenalo built a stellar reputation within the game during his time at Chelsea, and harnessed the club’s ability to create youth academy products to great success.

He was also responsible for bringing in the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Luakaku while at Stamford Bridge.

Newcastle confirmed the appointment of Eddie Howe as their new head coach on Monday afternoon, with the former Bournemouth manager signing a contract until 2024.

And according to the same outlet, it is understood that Emenalo is a fan of Howe’s approach and practices.

Emenalo’s last role in football came at Monaco in Ligue 1, although it was not the easiest of periods.

Arriving after the club had secured the title in 2017, he lasted two years during a period that saw the principality outfit sell a number of key assets, including Kylian Mbappe, to PSG.

Mexico Anti-Money Laundering Chief Resigns Amid Scandal

Koko Lawrence
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Mexico Anti-Money Laundering Chief Resigns Amid Scandal

The head of Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF), the agency in charge of cracking down on money-laundering operations, has resigned following a scandal related to his wedding in Guatemala.

Santiago Nieto, long seen as a trusted ally of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in his campaign to root out corruption, stepped down from the position on Monday.

That came after Guatemalan authorities seized $35,000 in cash from a private jet carrying influential guests to Nieto’s wedding to Carla Humphrey, a counsellor with Mexico’s National Electoral Institute (INE), in the city of Antigua.

Wedding guest Juan Francisco Ealy Ortiz, the president of the prominent Mexican newspaper El Universal, had been carrying the cash. A column in the newspaper on Monday said the money was for medical treatment and had been properly declared to Mexican officials.

Nevertheless the optics of the situation – private planes, lavish foreign weddings and bags of cash – had done their damage, Lopez Obrador said upon accepting the resignation.

“It is a scandalous matter, even when it is a private event … public matters in Mexico are increasingly public and more is known about private matters,” Lopez Obrador said.

The president was elected in 2018 on a campaign focused on cracking down on corruption in the country but has been criticized for focusing more on his public image than adequately addressing the myriad issues facing the country.

Since taking office, Lopez Obrador has cultivated a persona of obsessive austerity, often flying commercial, trying to sell the presidential jet, and refusing to live in the palatial former presidential residence.

Paola Felix, the secretary of tourism for Mexico City, also found herself caught up in the wedding drama.

She too resigned from her post following media reports that she was detained at a Guatemalan airport, reportedly on her way to the wedding, for trying to illegally carry a large amount of cash into the country. She has denied wrongdoing.

Longtime progressive politician Pablo Gomez is set to take over Nieto’s role.

Hundreds Of Migrants, Refugees Camped At Belarus-Poland Border

Koko Lawrence
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Hundreds Of Migrants, Refugees Camped At Belarus-Poland Border

Hundreds of migrants and refugees are camped out in near freezing temperatures in Belarus after Polish security forces blocked people attempting to cross the border, with officials in Warsaw warning of a possible “armed” escalation in the coming days.

Poland has for months accused Belarus of trying to spark a major confrontation by encouraging migrants and refugees from the Middle East and Africa to cross into Central Europe and the wider European Union in revenge for Western sanctions on longtime President Alexander Lukashenko’s government.

On Monday, the situation escalated as hundreds of people headed towards the Polish border near Kuznica village. Some tried to breach a barbed wire fence using spades and other tools.

Poland deployed additional soldiers, border guards and police, preventing refugees and migrants forcing their way across the frontier.

Polish President Andrzej Duda on Tuesday accused Lukashenko’s government of “attacking” the border and the EU “in an unparalleled manner”.

“We currently have a camp of migrants who are blocked from the Belarusian side. There are about 1,000 people there, mostly young men. These are aggressive actions that we must repel, fulfilling our obligations as a member of the European Union,” he told reporters in Warsaw.

Two Weeks After, Govt. Yet To Pay N22.1bn Earned Allowances- ASUU, SSANU

Rhoda Onuzulike
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Two Weeks After, Govt. Yet To Pay N22.1bn Earned Allowances- ASUU, SSANU


Two weeks after the Federal Government promised to pay N22.1 billon Earned Academic Allowances to workers in federal universities, the pledge has not been fulfilled.

This is just as the staff unions in the university system are poised to meet later this week to decide on the next line of action.

The unions are the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU; Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU; Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Allied Institutions, NASU, and National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT.

National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, confirmed that the union was yet to receive any money from the government.

“The promised has not been fulfilled. We are going to meet later in the week to appraise the situation,” he said.

On the issue raised by other unions regarding the sharing formula for the money, Osodeke noted that his union had no grouse with any other union and that any union not satisfied with whatever it is given should know the appropriate quarters to approach.


On his part, National President of SSANU, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, also confirmed that no money had been paid to them by the government.

He said: “The money should not be paid to the unions. The various universities know who their workers are.

“We are also insisting that the sharing formula is unacceptable to us.


“We also want the result of the forensic audit done in all the universities after the second tranche of the allowance paid is made public. We know what we are saying, ASUU members were overpaid.”

Ibrahim also said the Joint Action Committee, JAC, set up by SSANU and NASU to pursue their cause, would meet later in the week to assess the situation.

Recall that the sharing template by which ASUU is getting 75 percent of the allowance and the three other unions raking the remaining has caused a lot of disaffection between the staff unions.

This development is so far cause another round of industrial unrest in the nation’s ivory towers.

Qatar 2022 Race: 21 Super Eagles Train In Tangier For Lone Star

Emenike Agu
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Qatar 2022 Race: 21 Super Eagles Train In Tangier For Lone Star

Captain Ahmed Musa and 20 other invited players were at the Super Eagles’ first training session in the city of Tangier on Tuesday as countdown began for Saturday’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 African qualifying encounter against the Lone Star of Liberia at the city’s main venue.

The Super Eagles had a gym session at the hotel in the morning and were scheduled to train in the evening at the Grand Stade de Tanger (also known as Stade Ibn Batouta), a 45,000 –capacity facility that was opened in April 2011 but which will, sadly, be empty when Nigeria and Liberia tackle each other for three precious points on Saturday. ‘Hosts’ Liberia have made no move to get the Confederation of African Football to approve crowd attendance at the Day 5 game.

As at lunchtime on Tuesday, only forwards Victor Osimhen and Odion Jude Ighalo, as well as newly –drafted goalkeeper John Noble, were being expected in the camp.

Nine-pointer Nigeria need all three points from the encounter with the Lone Star in order to stay in contention to star in the knockout phase of the World Cup qualifiers, set for March 2022. Only the group winners will proceed to the knockout phase that will be a home-and-away exercise to produce Africa’s five flagbearers in Qatar.

Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks, who hosts Central African Republic in Mindelo on Saturday, have seven points and will be hoping the Super Eagles stumble in North Africa.

However, the Super Eagles have scaled the hurdle in their last three major qualifying campaigns with matches to spare, and are confident they could reach the knockout round before the final day of the qualifiers by beating Liberia, and hoping Cape Verde are unhinged on home soil by the Beasts.

Nigeria reached the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals with a match to spare; a feat repeated in the qualifying series for the 2019 AFCON. For the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon, the Super Eagles qualified with two matches to spare.

Meanwhile, the delegation of Liberia’s Lone Star also arrived in Tangier on Monday, and included three goalkeepers, seven defenders, seven midfielders and five forwards.

The Lone Star, bottom of Group C of the African series with three points, have a very remote chance of qualifying even though they play their final two matches at ‘home’ in Tangier, which is the venue they opted for as home ground after CAF ruled that there is no venue in the whole of Liberia fit and proper to host international matches.

Nigeria, the Lone Star’s opponents on Saturday and group leaders, already have nine points (the maximum that the Lone Star can amass in this campaign, if they win their last two matches). But the Super Eagles have a home game against second –placed Cape Verde in Lagos on Tuesday next week.

After the session with the three –time African champions, the Lone Star will remain in Tangier for their final game of the campaign, against the Wild Beasts of Central African Republic, also on Tuesday next week.

Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks, with seven points, are at home to the Beasts on the island of Mindelo, hoping to garner another three points that could make the final Group C encounter with Nigeria in Lagos a cliff-hanger.

EAGLES FOR LONE STAR & BLUE SHARKS

Goalkeepers: John Noble (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany)

Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Galsgow Rangers, Scotland); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Odion Jude Ighalo (Al-Shabab Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

LONE STAR FOR SUPER EAGLES

Goalkeepers: Derrick Julu (Watanga FC); Tommy Songo’s (LISCR FC); Boison Wynney de Souza (FC Somesul Dej, Romania)

Defenders: Sampson Dweh (LPRC Oilers); Alvin Maccornel (Watanga FC); Ben Benaiah (LPRC Oilers); Carlos Williams (Watanga FC); Prince Balde (FC Drita, Kosovo); Jamal Arago (Sabail FK, Azerbaijan); Mark Pabai (PEC Zwolle, The Netherlands)

Midfielders: Abraham Soumaoro (Paeek FC, Cyprus); Seth Kanteh Hellberg (IK Barge, Sweden); Allen Njie (FC Aarau, Switzerland); Marcus Macaulay (Sahab FC, Jordan); Oscar Murphy Dorley (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Justin Salmon (Degerfors IF, Sweden); Abu Kamara (FC Makedonija, North Macedonia)

Forwards: Peter Wilson (Olympiakos Nicosia, Cyprus); Moussa Sanoh (CS Mioveni, Romania); Van-Dave Harmon (KF Laci, Albania); Kpah Sherman (Kedah FC, Malaysia); Sylvanus Nimley (Llves, Finland)

Sudan Court Orders End To Internet Shutdown

Koko Lawrence
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Sudan Court Orders End To Internet Shutdown

A Sudanese court has ordered the country’s main telecoms companies to restore internet access more than two weeks after it was cut following a coup by military leaders.

The Sudanese military, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, seized power on October 25, dissolving the transitional administration and arresting dozens of government officials and politicians.

Since then, online access has largely been blocked and phone lines have also been intermittently disrupted. While some Sudanese users have managed to find a connection, the blackout has made it difficult for most people to communicate, particularly with those outside the country.

The day after the coup, army General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan blamed online media for “instigating sedition” but also promised that “the internet services will gradually return”.

On Tuesday, a judge ordered Zain, MTN and local provider Sudani to restore internet service immediately, according to lawyer Abdelazim Hassan, who raised a complaint on behalf of the Sudanese Consumer Protection Society.

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