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AAU Dismisses 13 Staff, Demotes Others For Corruption, Misconduct

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The University Staff Disciplinary Committee (USDC) of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, has said that 13 staff of the university have been dismissed for various cases of misconduct.

The Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Asomwan Sonnie Adagbonyi disclosed this while presenting the Committee’s Report to the Chairman, Special Intervention Team, Andrew Olotu, at the Government House, Benin City.

The report, according to him, contained the findings, recommendations, and/or actions taken by the USDC regarding charges of misconduct, gross misconduct, and other unethical practices levied against some academic and non-academic staff of the university.

The USDC, the report said, has taken a total of 219 cases, completed investigations, and taken decisions on 132 cases (63%) with 87 cases (63%) ongoing.

The Acting Vice Chancellor said the 13 staff were dismissed for charges ranging from fraud, extortion, collection of illegal fees, and sexual harassment, while other staff members recommended for other sanctions/punishment were charged for extortion, age manipulation, and examination malpractices, among others.

He noted that while disciplinary actions have been taken on some of the affected staff by the committee in time past, the committee made recommendations on others (including the completed and ongoing cases) for possible actions to be taken as will be decided by the SIT based on evidence and further findings.

Adagbonyi stated that among the 13 staff dismissed, four were from the Faculty of Engineering; two from the Department of Nursing Sciences; one from the Department of Law; three from the Faculty of Basic Medical Science; one from the Department of Medical Laboratory Science; one from Department of Political Science and one from the University farms.

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Reporting on some of the cases already decided by the committee, Adagbonyi said: “Mr. Christopher Ehigie, an Assistant Lecturer was found guilty of sexual harassment and recommended that his appointment be terminated which has already been carried out.

“Dr. John Ehiavbi, an Associate Professor, who was charged with extortion and other misconduct, was found guilty and the committee recommended his dismissal which has been carried out with the approval of the SIT.”

He continued: “Mr Ifeanyi Nwadike (a former Head of Nursing Science Department) and Mrs. Deliverance Brotobo of the same department were found guilty of fraud and extortion of funds from students.

“The committee concluded that based on findings, Mr Ifeanyi Nwadike was guilty of fraud and extortion. Mrs Deliverance Brotobo was also found guilty of the same as she was taking instructions from Mr Ifeanyi, the HOD. They both employed a non-staff and put him on the payroll to help them in the illegal fund collection.

“The committee recommended that Mr Ifeanyi should be dismissed, which has been carried out, with the criminal aspects handed over to relevant security agencies for retrieval of said funds to be returned to the students. It was recommended that Mrs Deliverance should not be promoted for the next six years. This was rejected by the SIT for being too lenient. She was then dismissed from the institution.”

On further findings by the USDC, he said, “Austin Aghemelo was found guilty of gross financial misconduct and was recommended to be either dismissed from the University or for his appointment to be terminated.

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“For other charges such as age discrepancies and multiple dates of birth and other forms of misconduct, the committee recommended demotion and redeployment, loss of annual increment for years (depending on the gravity of the offense and findings of the SIT) and leniency.”

Adagbonyi further stated that the institution will continue to do its best and cooperate with the SIT to sanitize the university and ensure that the staff hold firm to the institution’s work ethics, rules and regulations.

Receiving the report, the Head of the Special Intervention Team, Andrew Olotu expressed appreciation to the USDC for their fair, objective and unbiased investigations and recommendations, adding that the SIT will further investigate and deliberate on the report so that anyone found guilty does not escape the law.

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Insecurity: Nigerian Army raises alarm over Influx of cattle into Plateau

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The Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Maj.-Gen. Folusho Oyinlola, has decried the influx of large number of cattle into Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State.

Oyinlola, who doubles as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba, near Jos, said this on Tuesday during an engagement with stakeholders in Barkin Ladi.

He noted that the influx of the cattle was constituting a major security threat to the locality and the state in general.

According to him, the isolated attacks, farm destruction, and other illegal activities are as a result of the unhealthy development.

“I must express the concerns of security agencies about recent developments in parts of Barkin Ladi.

“There is a growing unease about the influx of large number of cattle into farming communities.

“While the movement of livestock in Barkin Ladi and indeed Pateau in general is not unusual, the scale and timings of this new influx raise legitimate security concerns.

“Unfortunately, this development has already resulted in adverse outcomes, including farm destructions, isolated attacks, and attacks on livestock.

“The impact of this action on food security, economic stability, and social harmony cannot be over emphasised,” he said.

The commander, who also expressed deep concerns over the recent killings in the locality, called on the stakeholders to unite and fashion out ways to end the violence.

He, however, promised to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime, who would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

Oyinlola explained that the stakeholders’ engagement was aimed at ensuring a successful and peaceful farming season in the locality.

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“The faming season is already ongoing, and for many families, this is a period for securing their livelihood.

“Therefore, any disruption of farming activities now will have dire consequences for the rest of the year and beyond.

“To this end, this engagement is convened to hear from you, all stakeholders, to listen to your concerns,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the meeting had in attendance heads of security agencies, government officials, traditional and religious leaders, among others.(NAN)

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Catholic cardinals call for worldwide ceasefire ahead of conclave

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The Catholic Church’s cardinals issued an urgent appeal for peace on Tuesday, one day before they retreat into the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope.

In a joint statement, they called on all warring parties worldwide to “achieve a lasting ceasefire as soon as possible.”

The statement, released by the Vatican, said the cardinals note “with regret” that there has been no “progress in promoting peace processes in Ukraine, the Middle East and many other parts of the world.”

On the contrary, they said, attacks have intensified, especially against the civilian population.

The cardinals called for ceasefires “without preconditions and without further delay” in order to negotiate “the peace long desired by the affected populations and the whole world.”

They also appealed to believers, asking them to intensify their prayers for a just and lasting peace.

The statement was delivered during the General Congregation of the College of Cardinals, the last meeting of the cardinals before the start of the conclave.

Starting on Wednesday, eligible cardinals under the age of 80 are to vote to elect a successor to pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88.

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WHO decries 33-year life expectancy gap between rich, poor countries

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The World Health Organization (WHO) says on Tuesday that more than 30-year difference in life expectancy between the richest and the poorest countries highlights global health inequities.

The global health body stated this in its ‘World Report on Social Determinants of Health Equity’ launched on Tuesday by its Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus.

The report revealed that where one was born could be the difference between living over three decades longer than someone else from a poorer country lacking safe housing, good educational opportunities and access to decent jobs.

According to the report, people in the country with the highest life expectancy will, on average, live for 33 years more than those born in the country with the lowest life expectancy.

It further revealed that lack of safe housing, good educational opportunities and access to decent jobs could be responsible for a reduction in life expectancy in both rich and poor countries alike.

“Our world is an unequal one. Where we are born, grow, live, work and age significantly influences our health and well-being,” said Ghebreyesus.

The report found that inequities in health were closely linked to degrees of social disadvantage and levels of discrimination.

“Health follows a social gradient whereby the more deprived the area in which people live, the lower their incomes are,” the UN global health agency said.

It stated that inequities’ were exacerbated in populations that face discrimination and marginalisation, such as Indigenous Peoples, who had lower life expectancies than their non-Indigenous counterparts.

According to the report, this is the case in both high and low-income countries.

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The study was the first to be published since 2008 when the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health released its final report.

The report laid out targets for 2040 for reducing gaps between and within countries in life expectancy, childhood and maternal mortality.

It showed that these targets were likely to be missed and in spite of a scarcity of data, there was sufficient evidence to show that health inequities were often widening.

“For example, children born in poorer countries are 13 times more likely to die before their fifth birthday than in wealthier countries.

“Moreover, modelling shows that the lives of nearly two million children annually could be saved by closing the gap and enhancing equity between the poorest and wealthiest sectors of the population within low- and-middle-income countries.”

Additionally, while maternal mortality declined by 40 per cent between the years 2000 and 2023, the majority of deaths, 94 per cent, still occurred in low and lower-middle-income countries.

WHO called for collective action to address economic inequality and invest in social infrastructure and universal public services.

The agency also recommended other steps, including overcoming structural discrimination and the determinants and impacts of conflicts, emergencies and forced migration. (NAN)

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