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Air Force Institute Matriculates 1,673 Students

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The Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna on Saturday, matriculated 1,673 students for its 2022/2023 academic session.

The Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, AVM Emmanuel Wonah, while addressing the matriculating students, charged them to be good ambassadors of the Institution.

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Wonah commended the institute for increasing the courses available at the undergraduate level from 11 to 28.

“This is indeed very commendable,” he said, adding that as a premier hybrid institution in Nigeria, it concurrently runs both polytechnic and university systems.

READ ALSO: Sudan Crisis: FG Accused Of ‘Fake’ Evacuation Of Nigerian Students

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“This makes you, the students, very unique in your training,” he said.

Wonah told the students that they are expected to be better than students from other contemporary universities, who, unlike them, do not have the benefit of theoretical and practical training.

He enjoined the students to remember their major reason for being in the institution, saying that it was to read, study, make good grades and be good ambassadors of their homes, school and the nation.

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He urged them that while not losing sight of their academic goals, they should also have an active social life with their fellow students.

You have sworn an oath of allegiance to remain committed and disciplined all through your period of study here.

“I, therefore, urge you all to look carefully at the contents of the oath in your spare time.

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READ ALSO: Gunmen Kidnap, Kill Police Sergeant In Delta

“Those words are binding, hence, you must be careful not to breach any aspect of the oath, which may lead to your suspension or expulsion.”

Wonah appreciated the AFIT commandant and the staff for their relentless effort towards providing an enabling environment for students to achieve a successful academic and career path.

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Earlier, the AFIT Commandant, AVM Paul Jemitola, said this was the institution’s 6th joint matriculation ceremony for National Diploma and Degree Programmes.

Jemitola said the occasion marked the official and statutory admission of qualified and deserving students into institutions of higher learning.

According to him, AFIT occupied a very unique position in Nigeria as the only hybrid higher institution offering a blend of University, Polytechnic, and Military programmes.

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READ ALSO: Ohanaeze Crisis: ‘How I Escaped Assassination’ – Factional Secretary-General

The commandant said that the institution was under the supervision of NUC, NBTE and the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters.

“As we conduct your joint matriculation into the Institute today, may I remind you that you are fortunate to be in a place where emphasis is placed on both research and technical knowledge.”

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He told the students to remember that certificates are awarded based on learning and character, therefore, they must find a balance between their academic, social and emotional lives in order not to lose sight of their goals.

“On our part, the Institute will continue to focus on her pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, service to society, well-being of staff and students.”

He advised the students to show respect to the staff and their fellow students in order to make their stay fruitful and productive.

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READ ALSO: Subject: Olori Atuwatse III Appointed As Member Of Delta State Transition Committee

“We are working tirelessly to provide more facilities to make your stay in school pleasurable.

“You are reminded that the oath you have taken today is for allegiance to the institute, obedience to the commandant, and all those in authority over you and to be of good conduct throughout your stay in the Institute.

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“Be warned that a breach of the oath taken today will attract appropriate sanctions,” Jemitola said.

The commandant prayed that God Almighty would watch over all the students, and make them a source of pride to their families, states, country and humanity.

Also, the Provost of the Institute, Prof. Mohammed Dauda, said that AFIT was established for the purpose of generating, disseminating and applying knowledge through conduct of research, training and result-oriented utilisation of innovative research findings.

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He added that these enhanced roles and objectives conferred considerable potential on AFIT to contribute strategically towards technological development of the Nigerian Air Force specifically and the country in general.
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Sanwo-Olu makes U-turn, Unblocks Lawyer Who Sued Him Over Blocking On X

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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has unblocked human rights lawyer, Festus Ogun, on X after a meeting with him at Lagos House, Marina, on Friday.

The lawyer, who had accused the governor of rights violations, announced the development in a post on his X account on Saturday.

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According to him, Sanwo-Olu personally invited him for a brief meeting to address his complaints.

Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unblocked me on X (Twitter). I met briefly with him yesterday at Lagos House Marina, on his invitation, to amicably resolve my complaint of human rights violations. We will continue to hold authorities accountable, regardless. Aluta continua!” Ogun wrote.

READ ALSO:Lawyer Sues Sanwo-Olu For Blocking Him On X

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Tribune Online reports that Ogun had earlier filed a suit against Sanwo-Olu at a Federal High Court in Lagos, accusing him of violating his fundamental rights by blocking him on his verified X account.

In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1739/25, which he shared on Facebook, the lawyer claimed the governor blocked him over his 2021 “constructive criticisms” and “demand for accountability” on the October 2020 #EndSARS killings.

In 2021, I noticed that the Governor blocked me on his official X handle @jidesanwoolu owing to my constructive criticisms of his policies and demand for accountability in respect of the October 2020 #EndSARS Massacre.”

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READ ALSO:‘Court Of Corruption’ — Obasanjo Knocks INEC Chairman, Judiciary In New Book

Ogun said the action has prevented him from accessing vital government updates and information.

“Blocking me on X has prevented me from accessing public updates and receiving information about policies and governance in Lagos, which constitutes a violation of my right to receive information without interference,” he said.

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In his originating summons, he asked the court to declare the move unconstitutional, arbitrary, and discriminatory.

 

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Tragedy Deepens As Prime Suspect in Taraba Student’s Death Found Dead

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The investigation into the death of Comfort Jimtop, a 100-level Mass Communication student at Taraba State University, has taken a dramatic turn following the discovery of the lifeless body of Emmanuel Kefas, the prime suspect in the case.

Kefas’s body was discovered on Friday in the Tudiri community, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area, under unclear circumstances, intensifying public concern and adding a tragic dimension to a case that has already gripped the university community and residents across Taraba State.

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Confirming the development on Saturday, the spokesperson for the Taraba State Police Command, James Lashen, said the police received a report from the village head of Tudiri about the discovery.

READ ALSO:Army Kills Notorious Bandit, Babangida, In Kogi

A lifeless body was found in Tudiri, and a Tecno Android phone was recovered beside it,” Lashen stated.

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Upon charging the phone, investigators found a photograph showing the deceased with the late Comfort Jimtop, suggesting they were in a romantic relationship.”

Lashen added that the body has been taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Jalingo for autopsy. At the same time, efforts are ongoing to officially identify the remains through the suspect’s family.

READ ALSO:Four Feared Killed As Gunmen Attack Burial Ceremony In Anambra

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Police have yet to determine whether Kefas’s death was the result of suicide, homicide, or an accident. Investigations into both deaths are continuing.

Comfort Jimtop’s mysterious death had earlier sparked outrage on campus and across the state, with students and rights groups demanding justice. Kefas was named a prime suspect in the case, which remains open.

This latest development has left many unanswered questions and deepened the grief surrounding the case.

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Students, residents, and civil society groups are closely monitoring the situation, calling on authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and bring clarity to the tragic chain of events.

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Ossiomo, Chinese Impasse: This Is Our Story — Management

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The management of Ossiomo Power Plant has cleared the air on the dispute between its Chinese partners and the circumstances surrounding the shutting down of the power plant early this month.

Representative of Ossiomo management, Engineer Festus Evbuomwan, during an interactive session with customers on the impasse between the two partners, said contrary to the rumour making the rounds, the management of Ossiomo Power Plant had paid over ₦2bn to its Chinese partner — Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology (CCETC) — since the power plant started operation.

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Recall that representative of CCETC who identified himself as Mr. ‘W’ had, during a telephone phone interview two weeks ago, claimed that “instruction to shutdown was because we lost lots of money and did not get any return on investment,” adding that “all the $20m investment was done by us including the distribution lines.”

But Evbuomwan during the interactive session, said the management was not aware of the $20m investment the Chinese partner claimed, just as he disclosed that “when they generate power, we sell and pay them.”

READ ALSO:Edo Govt Denies Shares As Ownership Tussle Rocks Ossiomo Power

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He disclosed that after shutting down the power plant, the Chinese partners came up with a request of ₦185m to be paid to two Chinese not known to the management, stressing that this was declined.

According to him, the Chinese partner, having seen how lucrative the business is, “went to some quarters and raised some issues probably thinking they can manoeuvre us with the help of some big persons, so that they can use their machines to generate power and sideline us but this is not possible.”

The Chinese partners also claimed that they borrowed $20m from their native land to invest, we are not aware of such investment, and we do not know where the money was invested up till now.

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“They have been also saying they have not been receiving anything, but I want to tell you unequivocally that first, the partners run a joint account where their investment is going into. More so, The Chinese partners have received over ₦2bn so far for the power they generate with their machines. When they generate the power, we sell and pay them.”

READ ALSO: Five Years After, Edo Govt Reconnects To BEDC As Ossiomo Shut Down

Engr. Evbuomwan, while apologising to customers for the power outage caused by the dispute between the two partners, said Ossiomo had started power generation though not in full capacity, assuring that power generation would be fully restored soon.

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“We have purchased turbines, and one have started working. They are working on the second one, so, by the time our five turbines start working we will be in full capacity. Even with that, those connected to the government may not be reached immediately. This is because the government bought the poles and contracted the wiring, and we cannot force the government to do our bid. Also, we are making efforts to site 33kva transformer along Airport Road and Lagos Road as soon as possible, so that our customers there will get power.”

He said the Edo State government does not have a stake in the company, just as he appealed to the “government to let us supply power to customers in through their Lines. I want to emphasise that Ossiomo is not completely shut down.”

He further urged the “government to encourage the Nigerian citizens to invest and not to work against local investors.”

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