News
Atiba University Oyo partners Nasarawa varsity
Atiba University, Oyo, has entered into a strategic collaboration with Nasarawa State University, Keffi, aimed at strengthening academic excellence, research, innovation, and institutional development within Nigeria’s higher education sector.
The partnership was formalised during a ceremony held at the Conference Room of the Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University as part of the institution’s week-long Silver Jubilee celebrations and its 8th Combined Convocation ceremony. The event brought together principal officers, senior academics, and key stakeholders from both universities, all expressing a shared commitment to building mutually beneficial partnerships that will enhance teaching, research, and community service.
Established in 2017 by the Atiba University Educational Foundation under the leadership of James Ojebode, Atiba University is dedicated to providing education anchored on knowledge, character, and self-reliance. Nasarawa State University, founded in 2001 by Abdullahi Adamu, former governor of Nasarawa State and Turakin Keffi, has grown into a leading public institution focused on expanding access to higher education and advancing academic development in Nigeria.
The collaboration agreement will focus on several key areas, including joint academic and research programmes, staff and student exchange initiatives, development of postgraduate and professional programmes, collaborative grant applications and publications, capacity building, institutional strengthening, and innovation-driven partnerships aligned with national development goals.
The initiative also aligns with the broader vision of Nasarawa State University, which prioritises strategic partnerships as a pathway to building innovation ecosystems and stimulating economic growth through research and knowledge exchange.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice Chancellor of Atiba University, Sunday Okeniyi, emphasised the significance of collaboration among universities in addressing contemporary educational challenges and boosting global competitiveness. He noted that the partnership would create new opportunities for academic advancement and practical knowledge sharing.
In her remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Sa’adatu Liman, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to building strategic alliances. She described the agreement as an important step toward strengthening academic development and expanding opportunities for both students and faculty.
Both vice chancellors expressed confidence that the partnership would encourage the exchange of ideas, support interdisciplinary research, and contribute meaningfully to national and global development.
Edo State Government has established a Special Criminal Court to expedite the prosecution of cultists, kidnappers and other criminal offenders as part of efforts to tackle rising insecurity in the state.
The Chief Registrar of the Edo State Judiciary, Benson Osawaru, disclosed on Friday that the court was established at the request of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
According to Osawaru, the Special Criminal Court will handle cases relating to cultism, kidnapping and other matters that may be assigned by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.
He said the initiative was aimed at ensuring speedy dispensation of justice and curbing the growing wave of cult-related violence and abductions across the state.
“The move is expected to address the rising cases of cult-related violence and kidnappings by ensuring quick prosecution of offenders and serving as a deterrent to criminal elements,” Osawaru stated.
Edo State has in recent months witnessed a surge in violent crimes, particularly incidents of kidnapping and cult clashes in several communities.
Meanwhile, Governor Okpebholo has reiterated his administration’s commitment to eliminating kidnapping, banditry and other forms of criminality from the state.
Speaking at the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) local government election campaign for the Edo Central Senatorial District at the Uromi Town Hall in the Esan North-East Local Government Area, the governor assured residents that decisive measures were being taken to restore security and public confidence.
He said efforts were underway to create a safe environment that would enable farmers displaced by insecurity to return to their farmlands without fear.
The governor stressed that criminal elements terrorising communities would be made to face the full weight of the law.
“Governors are ready to fight insecurity across the nation. The perpetrators will be exposed, and they will run away from the country. In Edo State, there will be security, and our farmers will be able to return to their farms,” he said.
Okpebholo added that his administration would not allow kidnappers and bandits to find refuge in the state.
“I am determined to ensure that kidnappers and bandits do not find a haven in Edo State. Our decisive action against criminals will serve as a deterrent to others,” he said.
The governor further declared that tough measures against convicted criminals would discourage others from engaging in crime.
“I am serious about the fight against insecurity. By the time we execute one, two, three and more of these criminals, others will run away from Edo State,” he stated.
Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has identified some of the reasons for the incidences of insecurity and out-of-school crisis in the northern part of Nigeria.
Speaking at a Summit on enhancing human capital development in Northern Nigeria in Abuja, Sule said the Almajiri system is “the single largest structural contributor” to Nigeria’s education emergency.
The Almajiri is a traditional system of Islamic education prevalent in northern Nigeria, where young boys leave their families to study the Quran under the guidance of religious teachers (Mallams). Originally a respected scholarship tradition, it has devolved into a socio-economic crisis, leaving millions of out-of-school children vulnerable to destitution and exploitation.
The country has an estimated 18.3 million out-of-school children, and recent data shows Almajiri children make up roughly 72% to 81% of that total, concentrated in the North.
He, therefore, urged the National Assembly to permanently outlaw the Almajiri system.
“Many minors recruited into banditry graduated from the Almajiri system,” Sule said.
Nasarawa accounts for about 430,000 out-of-school children.
At the event, the governor recalled the 2020 mass repatriation of Almajiri children by Nasarawa and Kaduna states but said enforcement alone isn’t enough without alternatives.
He is proposing a total ban on the Almajiri system, replaced with mandatory formal education and skills acquisition.
Sule is seeking total collaboration of the Northern intelligentsia, the political class, and the traditional system.
He urged Northern leaders to turn summit discussions into actionable draft bills, arguing that “policy changes are the only way to defeat regional poverty.”
SAN faults Lokoja court’s reversal of NDC registration judgment
Court fixes July 7 to hear suit challenging Duke’s PRP presidential candidacy
Why INEC yet to decide NDC’s fate
-
Fashion9 years agoThese ’90s fashion trends are making a comeback in 2017
-
Entertainment9 years ago
The final 6 ‘Game of Thrones’ episodes might feel like a full season
-
Fashion9 years ago
According to Dior Couture, this taboo fashion accessory is back
-
Sports9 years ago
Phillies’ Aaron Altherr makes mind-boggling barehanded play
-
Sports9 years ago
Steph Curry finally got the contract he deserves from the Warriors
-
Business9 years ago
The 9 worst mistakes you can ever make at work
-
Business9 years ago
Uber and Lyft are finally available in all of New York State
-
Entertainment9 years ago
The old and New Edition cast comes together to perform