News
ITF enriching its mandate through Act amendment – Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun – DG, ITF
The Director General of Industrial Training Fund, ITF, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun said, the agency was out to enrich its mandate by proposing amendment to Act establishing it, while dispelling rumours that mandates of other agencies of government are being taken.
He spoke with newsmen in Abuja, penultimate week when the ITF officials appeared before the Senate Panel on public hearing to amend the law establishing ITF.
He said: “We are not making new laws. We are enriching our mandate in ITF. The mandate are there, go to the mandate and read the mandate. Most people that talked here today have not read the mandate. Please go back as pressmen and read the mandate. I have read their mandate but I want them to read our mandate. You the media, go and read my mandate – ITF mandate.
“The law that sets up ITF, our goal is to make Nigeria work and work again. Our goal is to pursue the renewed hope agenda and we are doing that. And the president has told us, go out, up skill this artisan. It is getting embarrassing to say there is no job in Nigeria. For the avoidance of doubt, there is job in Nigeria.
“If there is no work in Nigeria, Ghanaians will come here, Lebanese will come here, Togolese will come here, they take up the job and abandoned become millionaire and go back to their country to enjoy there millions, yet we say there is no job. It is time for us to take up the jobs. The problem we have, we have substandard, sub-quality jobs and we are scaling that up, come what may.
“When we started, the artisans, they are happy with us because we are carrying them along. They told me at the beginning, people will fight you. There will be stumbling block on the way, I told them, I am ready to be baked and when I come out of the baking fire, I will be done and I will be ready for the agenda of Mr. President. I am ready to push it to success.”
Speaking with the National Union of Professional Artisans of Nigeria – NUPAN President, is like there is a cabal that is trying to frustrate this effort, how prepared are you?
“No cabal, we do not recognize any cabal, we don’t want to think of any cabal. Those things are distractions. We want to pursue the agenda of Mr. President, the renewed hope agenda.”
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has lost its quest to remove the ally of Chief Nyesom Wike as the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the early hours of Friday affirmed Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary.
Anyanwn who was planted by Wike as the National Secretary of the PDP has been engrossed in legal battle as Wike, the former governor of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT is now loyal to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
In a unanimous judgment, the five member panel averred that the matters bordering on the leadership or membership of a political party is its internal affair and should not be the business of a Court, hence, the Court has washed off its hands in PDP affairs.
The court proceeded to set aside the decision of Appeal Court, Enugu Division which on 20 December 2024 affirmed the removal of Anyanwu by a Federal High Court in Enugu.
The Apex Court held the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to have heard the matter instituted by Aniagwu Emmanuel.
Anyanwu contested for Imo State Governorship on the platform of PDP in 2023, but failed to secure victory.
News
Emergency Rule in Rivers: Senators Dickson, Abaribe, Tambuwal walk out of Senate Chambers in protest
As the Nigerian Senate approved the emergency rule declared in Rivers by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senators Seriake Dickson, Enyinnaya Abaribe and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal walked out of Chambers in protest of Senate’s position.
Seriake Dickson representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District (PDP), Enyinnaya Abaribe representing Abia South Senatorial District (APGA) and Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal representing Sokoto South Senatorial District (PDP) were unhappy over the declaration of emergency that suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara out of office.
Senators Seriake Dickson and Aminu Tambuwal who was also a former Speaker of the House of Representatives are lawyers and said, the declaration was unconstitutional and would not have their support.
Notwithstanding, their objections, the Senate presided by the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio through a voice vote overwhelmingly supported the president’s move, shutting down an open debate on the matter.
Senator Dickson expressed his gratitude to colleagues who supported his stance and acknowledged the presidency’s modifications to the original declaration. However, he emphasized that the introduced oversight mechanisms did not address the core constitutional concerns.
Dickson also criticized Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of attempting to silence opposition. “The Senate is a meeting of equals, and no lawmaker should be censored for speaking on national issues,” he stated.
The walkout by the three senators highlights the deepening divisions within the Nigerian Senate and raises concerns about the implications of the state of emergency on the country’s democratic institutions.
Rugby School Nigeria, the newest international school of the esteemed Rugby School Group, is set to open in September 2025 in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos.
To celebrate this significant milestone, an exclusive launch event was held at the British Deputy High Commissioner’s residence in Lagos, attracting over 100 distinguished guests and key stakeholders from the education, government, business sectors, and diplomatic communities.
At the official launch event on March 19, 2025, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Jonny Baxter highlighted the significance of Rugby School Nigeria stating:
“Rugby School Nigeria exemplifies one of the best of UK-Nigeria collaborations, bringing another world-class British education institution to the heart of Lagos. Situated in the dynamic Eko Atlantic City, a symbol of Nigeria’s ambition and innovation, this school is poised to further shape future leaders in a rapidly evolving global landscape.”
Rugby School Nigeria will initially open its doors for Sixth Form students (ages 16-18) in September 2025, with boarding facilities set to be available from September 2026. The Senior School (ages 11-16) will launch in September 2026, offering a broad and engaging curriculum that prepares students for IGCSEs and future academic success.
Founding Principal of Rugby School Nigeria, Dr Adam England expressed his enthusiasm:
“Rugby School Nigeria will offer an exceptional education that nurtures both intellectual growth and character development guided by the Rugby School ‘Whole Person, Whole Point’ philosophy. Students will benefit from a comprehensive A-Level programme, preparing them for top universities worldwide, alongside the Rugby 360 programme, which fosters leadership, community engagement, and personal development.
Our state-of-the-art facilities will include science labs, creative arts spaces, and world-class sporting facilities.”
Founded in 1567, Rugby School is one of the world’s most prestigious UK boarding schools, renowned for its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and character development. With established sister schools in Thailand, Japan, and now Nigeria, Rugby School continues to expand its global impact, offering transformative educational experiences to students worldwide.
Dr England added, “We are excited by the substantial interest we have already received, with numerous parents’ meetings taking place daily at our offices.”
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