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UniAbuja outgoing VC seeks total support for acting successor
The University of Abuja (UniAbuja), outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, has pleaded with staff and students to unconditionally support the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aisha Maikudi for the continuous growth of the institution.
Na’Allah, who was the sixth vice chancellor of the university made the appeal at the official handing over to the Acting Vice-Chancellor, on Monday in Abuja.
The outgoing VC said he would continue to do everything within his power to support the university.
He called on management and staff to double their efforts as they work with the acting vice-chancellor.
“I will continue to do everything I can even from outside to support the university in whatever way I can, especially with prayers.
“I plead with everyone to double the effort and support they have given me in supporting the acting vice-chancellor.
“Continue to work with sincerity, genuineness, dedication and total loyalty.
“If you give loyalty to the vice-chancellor or management you are not doing it for them but you are doing it for the university.
“Don’t ever think that your royalty to the vice-chancellor is about him or her but for the university because without it there will be problem,” he said.
He prayed that God would continue to strengthen, protect and give the acting vice-chancellor the clarity to pilot the affairs of the university.
In her remark, Maikudi said she would build upon the outstanding work of her predecessor, whose leadership had guided the institution through many significant milestones.
She said that the tireless dedication and unwavering commitment of the outgoing Vice-Chancellor to the university had laid a solid foundation for them to build upon, which they were deeply grateful for.
“Our university is a beacon of knowledge, innovation, and community engagement.
“Each member of our academic family from faculty, staff to students and alumni plays an essential role in sustaining and enhancing our mission.
“Together, we have cultivated an environment that fosters intellectual growth, creative exploration, and the pursuit of excellence,” she said.
Maikudi said that the 10th governing council of the university would be inaugurated on July 4.
“I believe that this development will bring an end to the impasse we have been experiencing.
“With the governing council in place, I am confident that we will soon see a return to normalcy, allowing us to focus on our primary mission of education and research,” she said.
The acting vice-chancellor said she was committed to upholding the values that defined the university as they embarked on the new chapter.
She said that some of her priorities includes; academic excellence, research and innovation, student success, staff welfare, community engagement, among others.
“I am deeply aware of the challenges we face but I am equally confident in our collective ability to overcome them.
“Our strength lies in our unity and our shared dedication to the principles of education and research.
“I encourage each of you to continue to bring your passion, ideas, and energy to our university, as we navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead,” Maikudi said. (NAN
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Muahammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111 has commended the developmental strides of Sokoto state governor, Ahmed Aliyu, just as he assured of the support of traditional institutions in the state.
Sultan who admonished other governor’s to also borrow a leaf from governor Ahmed Aliyu who ensures that resident communities enjoys equal benefit from everybody, added that, Nigerians should project what unites us moe than that which divides us.
“In Sokoto, we appreciate what the Governor is doing and we’d like to assure him of the support of the traditional institution so that he can continue the good work he’s doing of transforming our State.
“The Governor and our security agencies are doing their best and this has made the state to record tremendous improvement in the fight against banditry,” the Sultan averred.
While adding that governor Ahmed Aliyu deserves special commendation for the massive distribution of food items during the just-concluded Ramadan fast, Sultan urged Nigerians to always be law-abiding and desist from any act that may jeopardise the long lasting peace the country is enjoying.
Registering his displeasure over how the social media is been used negatively to promote and sow seed o discord, the Sultan said, some unpatriotic citizens use social media to spread falsehood, misinformation and provocative statements that can destroy the peaceful atmosphere the country is enjoying.
He, therefore, called on the security agencies in the country to be watchful of the unpatriotic citizens trying to create chaos in the land.
Speaking during his
Sallah homage on governor Ahmed Aliyu at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Lodge, Sokoto, Sultan
said, “”In Sokoto all Nigerians are treated as indigenes, an act that gives Nigerians residing in the State a sense of belonging.
Sultan equally stressed the need for for state governors to give much emphasis in protecting the lives and property of their subjects, describing security as the basis upon which all societies could progress.
Responding, governor Ahmed Aliyu reassured his administration’s determination to do everything humanly possible to make the state safe and secured.
He blamed unemployment especially among the youths as responsible for the insecurity being recorded in many parts of the country.
According to Aliyu, many youths have joined informants’ groups so as to be getting stipends to make ends meet.
“This administration has so far trained and graduated thousands of youths and women in different trades so as to make them productive members in the society.
” I want to assure you that we would soon embark on another massive skills acquisition programme to engage more unemployed youths in our modest attempt to reduce restiveness among our youths,” he vowed
Gov. Aliyu further reassured the people of the state that his administration would continue to prioritize Islamic affairs, adding that more Mosques and Islamiyya schools would continue to receive the desired attention from the state government.
He thanked the people of the state for their fervent prayers and support to his administration and called for it’s sustainance.
Sterling Bank has made a groundbreaking move by eliminating transfer charges on local transactions, aiming to create a more equitable banking experience for Nigerians. The question now arises: will other financial institutions follow this lead?
On April 1, Sterling Bank announced the removal of transfer fees for all local digital transactions, positioning itself as the first major bank in Nigeria to implement such a policy. Initially, the announcement faced skepticism, with many believing it to be an April Fools’ Day joke. However, Sterling has since reaffirmed the policy’s legitimacy and immediate implementation, signaling a significant evolution in the industry’s customer service approach.
Obinna Ukachukwu, the Growth Executive overseeing the Consumer and Business Banking Directorate, stated, “We believe that accessing your own funds should not incur a penalty. This decision transcends financial implications; it reflects our core values.”
With this new policy, Sterling customers can now make free transfers for all local transactions via the bank’s mobile app. This initiative is anticipated to yield considerable savings for individuals and small business owners who frequently engage in transfers.
“We may not be the largest bank in Nigeria, but we are certainly the most audacious,” Ukachukwu declared. “Sterling Bank is committed to the future of Nigeria, and we are backing our fellow citizens with more than just words.”
Sterling Bank has a history of prioritizing customer welfare, having previously offered financial assistance to healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This latest initiative has garnered widespread public support, igniting conversations on social media and prompting calls for other banks to adopt similar practices.
“We take pride in leading this transformative change,” Ukachukwu concluded. “We hope to inspire others to rethink what customers truly require from their banks, not only in terms of services but also in values.”
On Wednesday, the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, convened in Abuja, dismissed the Action Alliance’s (AA) petition aimed at overturning the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi and comprising a three-member panel, determined that the petition, filed by AA and its National Chairman, Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, was without merit.
The tribunal concluded that the issues raised in the petition were pre-election matters, falling outside its jurisdiction to adjudicate.
The petitioners claimed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had excluded their legitimate candidate from the governorship election held on September 21, 2024. They argued that, in contradiction to several court rulings, INEC recognized a candidate who had not been validly nominated by the party.
Furthermore, the petitioners contended that INEC’s failure to publish the name of their party’s rightful candidate constituted a significant violation of Section 134(1)(b) of the Electoral Act.
In addition to these claims, they asserted that Governor Okpebholo, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), did not receive the majority of legitimate votes and that the election was tainted by corrupt practices.
As a result, they sought the annulment of the election; however, the tribunal panel denied their request on Wednesday.
The panel upheld all preliminary objections raised against the petition. The respondents, including INEC and Governor Okpebholo, argued that the National Chairman of the AA lacked the standing to file the action, as he did not participate in the gubernatorial election.
They also asserted that the petition was barred by statute, as it involved pre-election issues that exceeded the tribunal’s jurisdiction.
It is noteworthy that AA’s candidate, Mr. Tom Iseghhi-Okojie, withdrew from the race in favor of Governor Okpebholo just days before the election.