Tinubu’s Govt behaving like a lost Sailor on high sea — Atiku reacts to Age limit for admission into tertiary institutions
The former People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Atiku Abubakar, has berated the government’s recent policy imposing an age limit for admission into tertiary institutions.
In a statement on his official X handle on Wednesday, August 28, Atiku labelled the policy as “belonging in the Stone Ages” and described it as a disincentive to scholarship.
The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, had earlier this week reiterated that admission to tertiary institutions should not be given to candidates less than 18 years old.
The statement reads: “Tinubu’s policy on age limit for tertiary education admission belongs in the Stone Ages.
“The recent policy of the Federal Ministry of Education pegging age limits for entry to tertiary institutions is an absurdity and a disincentive to scholarship.
“The policy runs foul of the notion of delineation of responsibilities in a federal system of government such as we are pratising, 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 government enjoys more roles above the federal government.
“Therefore, it is extra-constitutional for the federal government to legislate on education in a manner similar to 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. That 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.”
This incident comes amid an escalating cult war between the Greenlanders and Bobous factions.
Reports indicate that Darlington, a member of the Greenlanders cult, was forcibly dragged out of a moving tricycle by members of the opposing Bobous group before being viciously stoned to death.
The violent incident is part of an ongoing deadly conflict between the two groups, which has led to multiple casualties as they battle for control of the new transport terminal in the Igbogene community, located on the outskirts of Yenagoa. The ongoing cult war continues to claim lives as both factions fight for dominance in the area.
An eyewitness, who refused to identify himself for security reasons, said, “The boy was in a tricycle (keke) when suspected members of a rival cult group stopped the vehicle, dragged him out, and brutally assaulted him with sticks and stones until he succumbed to his injuries and gave up the ghost.
“The incident occurred around 5:15 pm on Wednesday, opposite one of the Pentecostal churches at Agudama-Epie in Yenagoa.”
The eyewitness reported that the family of the deceased had already removed the body for burial by the time a police patrol team arrived at the scene, with the assailants having fled.
Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Musa Mohammed, confirmed the incident on Thursday and stated that investigations were underway to track down those responsible for the brutal killing.
Mohammed also issued a strong warning to young people, urging them to refrain from joining cults or engaging in any criminal activities.
His words: “Information at my disposal has it that yesterday (Wednesday) at about 1900 hours, the Divisional Police Officer led the patrol team to the area.
“Bobous and Greenlander cult groups were clashing at Agudama-Epie. In the process, one Darlington Walson, a 30-year-old from the community and a member of the Greenlander group, as well, was inflicted with machete cuts and stoned to death by the rival group.
“On arrival at the scene, the family of the deceased had evacuated the corpse for burial. Investigation has been intensified to apprehend the suspects involved in the killing.”
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Senator Ireti Kingibe criticizes Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over outburst against Akpabio
Senator Ireti Kingibe criticizes Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over outburst against Akpabio
Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims of mistreatment in the Senate, asserting that the Kogi Central lawmaker has enjoyed more privileges than other female senators.
In an interview on Arise News on Friday, Kingibe addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The incident, which took place on February 20 during a plenary session, involved a heated exchange over a change in seating arrangements. Akpoti-Uduaghan later accused Akpabio of retaliating against her after she allegedly rejected his sexual advances.
Kingibe, however, countered Akpoti-Uduaghan’s accusations, emphasizing that she was not the only senator whose seat had been moved.
The FCT senator also criticised Akpoti-Uduaghan for failing to adhere to Senate rules, stating that such issues should be handled within the framework of parliamentary procedures.
“Silence is golden, especially when one of us is not following the rules. And as women, we did not want to come out publicly to say anything negative about her; and we were hoping all of this will blow over, as a lot of things do,” Kingibe said.
“The senate is not a place where we are supposed to fight over trivialities like seating arrangements.
“This is about the rules of the senate. So if I can point out that other women have been moved several times on that day, I wasn’t there, but I gathered that several men were also moved.”
Kingibe said although the senate is “not gender friendly”, it has been improving.
“And the truth of the matter is, when we make a fuss and draw the attention of the Senate president, he corrects it,” she said.
“Truly, the senate can do better than it’s doing, but there’s hardly anything that’s been done to us that’s not done to other men.
“The truth is, Senator Natasha has gotten the most privileges among all four of us (female senators). The seat I sit on now has been moved four times.
“I want women to know we have to follow the rules of the institution we choose to enter, and that is mostly the point of this visit here.”
Regarding the allegations of sexual harassment, Kingibe stated that she is not personally close to Akpabio and therefore could not comment on such matters.
“I collected some documents for Senator Natasha, informed her and went to her house. She told me that she was supposed to discuss something with Akpabio but he said to meet him at a hotel,” Kingibe added.
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Governor Fubara breaks silence as Wike’s canp wins big at the Supreme Court
Governor Fubara breaks silence as Wike’s canp wins big at the Supreme Court
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed his acknowledgement for the Supreme Court’s decision to recognize Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule and 26 other individuals as legitimate members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The ruling marks a key development in the ongoing political turbulence within the state.
In an official statement issued by Joe Johnson, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Governor Fubara acknowledged the Supreme Court’s judgment, which also covers the management of state funds and local government administration in Rivers.
“We are currently awaiting a detailed briefing on the full implications of the judgment. We will carefully assess the situation and decide on the appropriate steps to safeguard the interests of Rivers State and its people,” the statement read.
While admitting that the ruling reinstates the 27 lawmakers, Fubara pointed out that the critical issue of their defection, which initially led to their disputed status, was not addressed by the Court. He explained that this matter remains unresolved, as it is still pending before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.
“Since the issue of defection was not part of the case before the Justices, they consider Amaewhule and the 26 others as duly serving lawmakers until the matter is brought before them,” the statement added.
Governor Fubara reassured Rivers State residents that his administration is committed to upholding the rule of law and working in the best interest of the state. He urged the public to remain calm and law-abiding as the government seeks clarity on the ruling and its broader consequences.