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Japa: Nigeria In Deep Crisis, ASUU Laments

Published

2 years ago

December 7, 2023

Editor

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, on Thursday, said the country was in a deep crisis following the migration of academics from Nigeria to other countries.

The union also advised the country to invest more in the education system while calling on the country’s budgeting agencies to separate the budget of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund from Nigeria’s annual budget to enable effective implementation.

ASUU President, Prof Emmanuel Osodoke, made the call at the TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research, Showcase and Closing Event held on Thursday at Innov8 Technology Hub, Airport Road, Abuja.

Osodeke, who spoke against the backdrop of suspicion that the national budget may not enjoy 100 per cent implementation, observed that strangely, for the first time, government decided to add TETFund’s budget to the national budget.

The ASUU president added that once TETTund’s budget is included in the national budget, “it is finished.”

He also called on Nigerians to deal with inferiority complex, which allows them to depend on services abroad, stating that every country in the world that wants to develop must use its ideas and use its people and those ideas are in the universities.

Osodeke decried continuous patronage of foreign goods and services by Nigerians even when they can be sourced locally.

“In 2020 we were challenged to produce something better than IPPIS, it took us two months to produce it, UTA, which we have presented to National Assembly, to the House; then we said let’s test the twin and IPPIS came last; but Nigeria insisted on using IPPIS.

“Every year, the Nigerian government pays $40 to a company in UK for paying me salary and you reject the one in your university. You want to do anything you run abroad,” he said.

While commending TETFund for the TETFAIR project, he assured that the men engaged in the scheme can solve Nigeria’s problems, stating that “we must come back home and use our ideas.”

Osodeke also warned against political interference in TETFund from authorities overseeing the ministry.

“Nigeria is in deep crisis. Our best brains whether in the academic or medical are leaving the country. Thousands of our colleagues, the good ones are leaving the country. Some are leaving to go and farm. We must rescue our country. Allow the money for universities go into universities,” he said.

Also speaking, the Minister of Labour, Simon Lalong, who described the occasion as a celebration of the remarkable innovative achievements over the year, said the scheme serves as a platform for researchers and innovators to showcase their groundbreaking ideas to transform them into tangible solutions.

Lalong expressed confidence that the valuable experiences gained through the TETFAIR will empower Nigerian scholars to contribute significantly to their fields at home and internationally.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc Sonny Echono, said the fair was organised to support researchers in universities to bring their innovative ideas to fruition.

While reiterating the importance of Nigeria transiting to a knowledge-based economy, Echono stated that the world has moved from a resource rich economy to a knowledge-based one and Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind.

“TETFund, as the foremost interventionist agency in Nigeria’s Tertiary Education Sector has deepened its intervention in content- based programmes. The Fund is making conscious investments in support of research, innovation and development as it remains the most compelling strategy for accelerating sustainable growth.

“In our bid to promote the institutionalisation of R&D, we have sought effective support for impactful research and innovation through partnership between tertiary institutions/research institutes, industry and government as a national response towards technological

“Accordingly, the TETFAIR programme is the outcome of a fruitful collaboration between TETFund and Innov8 Technology Hub, an organization dedicated to the support and advancement of Innovation Start-up Incubation, Technology Transfer, Knowledge & Skill Impartation, Prototype Development, and Fabrication in Nigeria.

“TETFAIR is a year-long programme which provides a unique opportunity for our academics and researchers in Nigerian Universities to transform their ideas into market-driven solutions, including the development and fabrication of prototypes.

“Through the Initiative, selected teams of researchers and academic staff with promising ideas for innovative solutions in the programme’s areas of focus were supported via intensive in person and online trainings. mentorship and provision of access to high-end technology / specialized machinery to bring their ideas to fruition,” he said.

On his part, the Minister of State for Education, Hon Yusuf Sununu, said the TETFAIR was not the only research effort being made towards national development, stating that Nigerian researchers were also engaged in multi prong efforts, including the development of vaccines for preventable diseases in Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

Sununu called on TETFund to scale up copywrite ownership protection so that the innovators will not lose copywrite ownership of their products and services.

The minister also called for collaboration between the academia and industry and other stakeholders to ensure marketability of the products churned out by the innovators.

In her remarks, the Chaiman House Committee on Tertiary Education, Princess Miriam Onouha, expressed satisfaction with the level of research efforts put together by Nigerian academics through TETFund’s partnership with Innov8 Hub under the TETFAIR scheme.

Onouha expressed hope that gains made in the project will eventually help to address unemployment in the country, while assuring that the legislature will provide the needed support to ensure success of the TETFAIR.

News

DANGER: Six Incurable Diseases You Should Know — And Their Causes

Published

1 hour ago

August 30, 2025

Editor

Diseases are medical conditions that affect the body and disrupt its normal functions. Although healthcare professionals and researchers have made significant progress in finding cures for many diseases, there are still several illnesses without a permanent cure.

While treatment may help manage symptoms or prolong life, the diseases themselves remain incurable.

In this article, Tribune Online takes a look at six incurable diseases you should know.

HIV/AIDS

Probably the most well-known disease on the list, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks and weakens the immune system, which can develop into Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). At this stage, the immune system becomes too weak to fight infections. Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) helps patients live long and healthy lives, there is still no permanent cure for HIV.

Causes

HIV is primarily contracted through specific bodily fluids: blood, semen, vaginal fluids, anal mucus, and breast milk. The most common ways HIV is spread are through unprotected vaginal or anal sex and sharing needles or syringes. Mother-to-child transmission can occur during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

Cancer

Cancer is a disease caused by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells, affecting organs such as the lungs, breasts, and prostate. Treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation can manage or remove some cancers, but there is no universal cure.

According to Healthline, there is a difference between cure and remission when it comes to cancer. A cure means all traces of cancer are eliminated and will not return, while remission refers to a state where few to no cancer cells remain. Remission may be complete, with no detectable signs of cancer, often within the first five years after treatment, or partial, where the cancer has shrunk but is still present. Even in complete remission, hidden cancer cells can remain and cause the disease to return.

Causes

Cancer, unlike HIV, is not a contagious disease. Instead, it arises from genetic mutations within cells, which can be inherited, develop over time, or be caused by environmental factors like radiation and chemicals. These mutations cause cells to grow and divide uncontrollably.

Diabetes

Another incurable disease is diabetes. It is a chronic condition where the body cannot properly control blood sugar levels.

While there are many types of diabetes, the major ones are Type 1 and Type 2. In Type 1 diabetes, the body produces little or no insulin, while in Type 2 diabetes, the body cannot use insulin effectively. Although medications, insulin injections, and lifestyle changes help manage the disease, there is no cure. Over time, diabetes can lead to complications such as kidney failure and heart disease.

Causes

Diabetes is also not contagious. Type 1 diabetes is mainly due to genetics and environmental factors that trigger the immune system to attack insulin-producing cells in the pancreas while Type 2 diabetes on the other hand is caused by a combination of factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and insulin resistance

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking abilities. It is the leading cause of dementia among older adults. The disease worsens over time and makes it difficult for patients to perform daily activities. Current treatments can only slow down symptoms or improve quality of life, but they cannot stop the disease or reverse the damage.

Causes

Alzheimer’s develops in the brain when abnormal protein deposits build up, damaging nerve cells and affecting memory. Age, genetics, and family history are the strongest risk factors, while lifestyle factors such as poor cardiovascular health can also contribute to the development of this incurable disease.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Not only is this disease incurable, but it also does not have a known cause, according to Professor of Neurology Mayowa Owolabi. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the nerve cells controlling voluntary muscles. Over time, the nerves that send signals from the brain to the muscles weaken and die, causing patients to lose the ability to move, speak, eat, and eventually breathe.

Causes

ALS is not a disease that spreads from person to person. The exact cause is unknown, but research suggests it results from a mix of genetic and environmental factors. In some cases, it runs in families, while in others, it occurs randomly.

Parkinson’s Disease

This is another disease scientists have yet to find a cure for. It is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that mainly affects movement. Parkinson’s disease develops gradually and is marked by tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination.

The condition occurs when nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine become damaged or die. While medications and therapies can help control the symptoms, there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, and symptoms worsen over time.

Causes

Like some other incurable diseases, Parkinson’s does not spread like an infection. It develops when nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine become damaged or die. While the exact cause is not fully understood, Mayo Clinic notes that factors such as genes and environmental toxins may play a role in the development of the disease.
(TRIBUNE ONLINE)

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Police Urge Bauchi Residents To Remain Calm Amidst Soldier’s Death In Bauchi

Published

15 hours ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

The Police in Bauchi state has called on all the residents of the state to remain calm after a soldier was shot dead by a police officer in the state.

CSP Ahmed Wakil, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) made the call on behalf of the Commissioner of Police in the state, Sani Omolori-Aliyu.

According to him, Inter-agency security forces have initiated a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident which led to the death of the soldier.

The PPRO recalled how a blogger narrated the incident that a member of the Nigerian Army attached to 33 Artillery Brigade was fatally shot while attempting to intercept a truck suspected of transporting solid minerals from an illegal mining site in Futuk, Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state by a mobile police Inspector on illegal duty.

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How Becoming Bank Manager At 27 Changed My Life, Tony Elumelu Urges Trust In Africa’s Youths

Published

16 hours ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

Prominent African businessman and philanthropist, Tony Elumelu, has reflected on the defining moment of his early career when he was appointed a bank branch manager at just 27 years old.

In a post shared on his LinkedIn page on Tuesday, Elumelu recounted how his appointment at AllStates Trust Bank changed the trajectory of his life and shaped his passion for empowering young people.

“When I was 27, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime: I became a branch manager at AllStates Trust Bank, a young bank in Nigeria.

“Banking was beginning to change the country, it was the sector to be in, ripe for transformation, ready for disruption, for democratisation.

“At that time, few believed a 27-year-old could successfully lead a bank branch. But that opportunity changed the entire course of my life.

“It gave me confidence. It gave me a platform. Most importantly, it gave me perspective,” he wrote.

Elumelu, who is the founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation and chairs Heirs Holdings and United Bank for Africa, noted that his journey began not with financial capital but with trust.

His post continued, “That’s why today, I am passionate about giving young people the same chance I was given. Because I know what’s possible when someone believes in you early.

“This belief is at the heart of everything we do at The Tony Elumelu Foundation. It’s why we invest in young African entrepreneurs – because someone once invested in me.

“My journey didn’t begin with capital. It began with trust. Let’s keep believing in Africa’s youth. They are ready to lead, grow and transform our continent.”

In a follow-up post on X on Friday, the business leader further highlighted three lessons from his experience as a young bank manager.

“Shared recently on my LinkedIn page how I became a bank manager at just 27. I got a lot of questions. One stood out: How could someone so young handle such responsibility?

“Many doubted a young man could lead a bank branch. That chance changed the entire course of my life,” he wrote.

Outlining the lessons from his journey, Elumelu wrote, “Lesson 1: Age is not a barrier. If you can execute, are hungry to learn, and committed to results — you can lead at any age. Leadership is about clarity of vision and that discipline to execute.

“Lesson 2: The most powerful capital is trust. My journey didn’t start with money — it started with trust. Trust was the seed that propelled everything else. Give young people trust, and they will surprise you. I was trusted, I repaid that trust.”

In the third lesson, Elumelu explained why perspective matters in leadership.

He wrote, “Leadership is not about doing everything yourself. It is about empowering, setting direction, and providing clarity. The sooner you learn this, the faster you grow.

“That’s why today, I am passionate about giving young people the same chance I was given. Cascading luck. Catalysing opportunity.”

Elumelu said these principles continue to drive his commitment to youth empowerment through his foundation.

“It is the reason we invest in Africa’s youths at the #TonyElumeluFDN, because someone once invested in me,” he wrote.

“My story is proof that when we trust in our youths, they are ready to lead, grow, and transform our continent. Let’s keep believing in Africa’s youths,” he concluded.