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Crisis Hits NBTE As director, Executive Secretary Bicker Over Suspension

Published

1 year ago

October 13, 2024

The National Board for Technical Education is currently enmeshed in crisis following the illegal suspension of a former Director, Human Resources, Lawal Hafiz, by the Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugaje.

Consequently, the former director of the NBTE, saddled with overseeing technical education, has petitioned the head of the organisation.

In the petition of the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, Bugaje was accused of illegally suspending a director of the board in an alleged case of witch-hunt.

Hafiz, also claimed that he was suspended following the allegation of being the arrowhead of whistleblowers who petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over the alleged illegal withdrawal of N200 million from the board’s Single Treasury Account (TSA) to a commercial bank.

According to Hafiz in the petition, the Executive Secretary feigned ignorance of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission and, instead, descended on the perceived whistleblowers by redeploying them and making them redundant.

He also accused the NBTE boss of deployment of board’s fully paid staff as manager of the executive secretary’s wife’s restaurant, and payment of salary to already employed federal government employees.

He then appealed to the minister to call the Executive Secretary, to order and restore the management committee comprising all directors of the board and disband the NBTE EXCO where only a few directors are members, an act not recognised by the NBTE laws.

Hafiz also added that even the query given to him on using public transport to conduct official engagements was answered in line with public service rules, yet he was suspended.

The petition read, “First, I wish to crave your indulgence to give a brief on the development that led to the unwarranted actions on my person by the Executive Secretary. Some times in May, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) opened an investigation into an allegation of withdrawal of over two hundred million naira from the Board’s Treasury Single Account (TSA) at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to a Commercial Bank account of the NBTE Consult Ltd using some staff of the Finance Department as conduits. (See list of some of the officers interrogated in appendix Ia-Ib).

“Other allegations under investigation include the sale of luxury cars and buses under a swap arrangement without records, receiving kickback from contractors and operating an illegal kickback fund named known in Islam as Baytil Maal (See screenshot of WhatsApp chat with the ES in appendix II.”

“Furthermore, as part of the vengeance, he created what he called NBTE EXCO in place of the Management Committee made up of a handful of Directors to form the NBTE EXCO; effectively shutting me along with other Directors believed to be whistleblowers or not in his good books out of management committee. With this segregation, the NBTE EXCO meets monthly to make decisions while other Directors, including me, will only meet when necessary.

“This is quite strange as this scenario doesn’t exist in other regulatory agencies; National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) not to talk of other MDAs in public service. Management Committee everywhere is made up of all Directors of the establishment. The main target here is me. (see ES memo on formation NBTE EXCO as appendix III).”

NBTE boss dispels corruption allegations, vows to sanitise agency.

However, when contactedon the matter, the executive secretary, denied the allegations, while noting that the director was suspended, following his unsatisfactory reply to the query issued to him by the management.

The NBTE boss also denied allegations of corruption and embezzlement, attributing the claims to a disgruntled employee of the agency.

In an interview with The PUNCH , Bugaje addressed the allegations, stating that the NBTE has introduced digital accreditation to reduce corruption and increase transparency.

“We discovered that physical accreditation was prone to corruption, with institutions trying to cut corners. Digital accreditation ensures a more transparent process,” he explained.

“Regarding the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission investigation, Bugaje clarified that some staff members were invited for questioning, but it is not under investigation.

“The ICPC is a partner in our quality assurance exercise. We have a Memorandum of Understanding to combat illegal institutions defrauding students and parents,” he stated.

Bugaje attributed the allegations to a former Director of Human Resources, Lawal Hafiz, who allegedly sought to take over as acting executive secretary, adding that “Lawal Hafiz was trying to create problems between me and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics. He also attempted to short-change the board,” he alleged.

The NBTE boss emphasised his commitment to transparency and accountability, citing his 43 years of public service.

“I have always stood for transparency. We encourage whistleblowing and support the ICPC’s investigations,” he said.

Bugaje also addressed the suspension of four deputy directors for corruption, including financial misconduct and sexual harassment.

“We must sanitise the NBTE and ensure our accreditation process is transparent and sincere. We recalled the suspended directors after six months, posting them to departments outside accreditation,” he explained.

He noted that the NBTE has introduced digital accreditation to reduce costs, increase transparency, and promote blended learning.

“We are determined to keep marching on the path of technology, despite resistance from some quarters,” Bugaje concluded.

News

Eating Takeout Food Often May Increase Heart Disease Risk — Study

Published

9 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

Research suggests that higher takeout food consumption may increase a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease, like heart disease.

In a new study, published in Food Science & Nutrition, researchers said eating takeout food too often can influence systemic inflammation that underlies much cardiovascular disease.

The study of over eight thousand people in the 2009 to 2018 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that those who eat greater amounts of takeout food are likely to have various elevated risk factors for heart disease.

They were interviewed in their homes and also visited a mobile examination centre, where they recalled their food intake, received cardiometabolic health assessments, and had blood collected.

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The researchers found a correlation between the amount of takeout food a person consumes and their likelihood of developing chronic low-level inflammation, a key driver of cardiovascular pathology.

Deaths from cardiovascular disease and the consumption of takeout foods are both on the rise, and while that does not prove a causal relationship, the study explores whether there is a connection between the two.

The study tracked degrees of systemic inflammation according to the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), a scale that quantifies the risk of inflammation related to the intake of specific dietary substances.

The three major takeaways from the analysis included that a higher level of takeout food consumption corresponded to an unfavourable cardiometabolic profile consisting of lower HDL, as well as higher triglycerides, fasting glucose, serum insulin, and insulin resistance.

Jayne Morgan, MD, cardiologist and Vice President of Medical Affairs in a reaction, who was not involved in the study, explained that “Takeout food raises the cardiovascular risk not because of one ingredient, but because of a predictable combination of nutrients, additives, and preparation methods that adversely affect blood pressure, lipids, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and endothelial function.”

“This includes excess sodium that increases blood volume and blood vessel stiffness, and unhealthy fats, usually saturated fats or trans fats, that increase cholesterol level and atherosclerosis, a condition that can lead to heart attack and stroke.”

Michelle Routhenstein, Preventive Cardiology Dietitian at Entirely Nourished, also not involved in this study, declared, “It is also important to recognise that frequent takeout use often reflects broader lifestyle pressures such as demanding schedules, limited access to cooking resources, irregular meals, and disrupted sleep, all of which can quietly compound cardiovascular risk.”

News

How To Identify Fake Kiss Condoms In Circulation

Published

11 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has recently warned Nigerians about the circulation of counterfeit Kiss brand condoms in major markets across the country.

Contents
Original DKT Kiss condoms
Fake Kiss condoms

In a public alert published on its website recently and referenced as Public Alert No. 042/2025, the agency said the warning followed information received from DKT International Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation involved in contraceptive social marketing and HIV/AIDS prevention.

NAFDAC stated, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control is notifying the public about the sale and distribution of fake Kiss condoms in various Nigerian markets.

“The information was received from the MAH-DKT International Nigeria, a leading non-governmental organisation focused on contraceptive social marketing. Its mission is to provide Nigerians with affordable and safe options for family planning and HIV/AIDS prevention.

“The fake Kiss condoms have been reported to be found in Onitsha Market, Idumota Market, Trade Fair Market, and various markets in Kano, Abuja, Uyo, Gombe, Enugu, and others.”

Kiss condom is a brand of male latex condoms designed to offer sexual protection, including the prevention of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, gonorrhoea and syphilis.

To help consumers avoid counterfeit products, NAFDAC outlined key differences between original and fake Kiss condoms.

Original DKT Kiss condoms
The original product comes in a light red box pack with clear instructions printed on the lower part of the pack, including single-use warnings and storage and caution information. The box contains detailed medical device information, including MDSS GmbH, Germany, and a complete Nigerian address at Isolo Industrial Layout, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.

The condom pack is light red, with the word “Kiss” closely written on six lines. The wallet outer pack is lighter red, carries the Oshodi-Apapa address, manufacturer details, and a clear product description beside the condom image. The hidden flap includes revision dates, medical device details, and caution information, while the wallet inner contains detailed instructions and eight bullet points under important notes.

The original condom is large, oval-shaped, well-lubricated, and has a large teat end for semen collection.

Fake Kiss condoms
In contrast, fake Kiss condoms come in darker-coloured box packs with little or no additional information. Some boxes are plain white inside and lack condom images. The address is wrongly listed as 42, Montgomery Road, Yaba, Lagos, while the manufacturer’s address is incomplete or missing. Storage and caution information is absent.

The condom pack is darker, with “Kiss” loosely written on five lines and wide spacing. The condom strip is longer than the original. The wallet outer pack is also darker red, carries incorrect or missing addresses, lacks colour wave designs, and shows inconsistencies in barcode lines. Medical device and caution information are missing, and the hidden flap contains no details.

Inside the wallet, information is summarised with only six bullet points. The fake condom is thinner, round-shaped, less lubricated, and has a smaller teat end.
(TRIBUNE)

News

Lagos: Police Arrest 14 Suspected Traffic Robbers On Lekki-Epe Expressway

Published

14 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

Fourteen persons suspected to be involved in traffic-related robbery have been arrested at various points along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos over the past two weeks.

The arrests were confirmed on Tuesday by the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, via a post on her official X handle, @AbimbolaShotayo.

According to her, operatives of the Command’s Tactical Squad based in Elemoro carried out the operations that led to the suspects’ apprehension.

She explained that the arrests followed sustained patrols and intelligence-driven operations aimed at curbing criminal activities associated with traffic congestion and improving the safety of motorists and other road users along the busy corridor.

Adebisi noted that the development reflects the Command’s determination to strengthen security and uphold law and order on the Lekki-Epe axis, adding that the Tactical Squad has continued to proactively identify crime-prone areas and respond swiftly to threats posed by criminal elements.

She called on residents and commuters to support police efforts by providing timely and credible information that could assist in preventing and detecting crime.

“Security is a shared responsibility. Members of the public are encouraged to stay alert and promptly report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station,” she said.

The police spokesperson further reassured residents and road users of the Command’s commitment to maintaining aggressive patrols and security operations to protect lives and property in the area.

She reiterated the Command’s community policing message, “See Something, Say Something,” stressing the importance of cooperation between the police and the public in sustaining peace and security.