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Obaseki’s Certificate: AAU VC Refutes Social Media Report, Says ‘I Never Called It Fake’

Published

5 years ago

June 16, 2020

The Vice Chancellor of the Ambrose Alli University, (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, Prof. Ignatius Onimawo, has refuted an online media report which allegedly quoted him as saying that the University of Ibadan (UI) certificate of the governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki was fake.

Briefing the press at the main campus of the university in Ekpoma, the Vice Chancellor described the news which was published on Nairaland Forum, as wicked, malicious and outright falsehood.

He asserted that he did not at anytime grant interview to any journalist on the issue, and has never at even during interpersonal interaction made such comments to anybody.

He said while the anonymous writer claimed in the write up that he (vice Chancellor) graduated from UI in 1977, his actual year of graduation was 1982.

He similarly explained that the allegation in the write up that he said the governor had been putting pressure on UI alumni Association to affirm his membership of the university was another falsehood, adding that the governor was a bonafide alumnus of UI, and was a student in Zik Hall.

He therefore called on the public to discountenance every part of the publication, and called on the online medium-Nairaland Forum to retract the story or face legal action.

” We have started investigation into the publication, and the matter has been reported to the DSS, police and we have also reported the matter to other agencies of government to find out the root of the matter.

“It took me by surprise that somebody could quote the Vice Chancellor of AAU as saying that the certificate of visitor to the university is fake. The executive governor, His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki is distinguished Alumnus of university of Ibadan.

” In fact in 2018 the university of Ibadan Alumni Association chose him as the distinguished Alumni lecturer, and I accompanied him to Ibadan to that event. So how can I turn around to say that the same governor was now asking me to make him belong to the alumni association?

” I am aware that the governor graduated from the university of Ibadan, and that he was a student in Zik Hall. So such publication can only be from the pit of hell. I want the public discountenance every part of the said publication”, he stressed

(PHOTO: File)

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JUST IN: Tinubu Reverses Maryam Sanda’s Pardon, Convict To Spend Six Years In Jail

Published

45 minutes ago

October 29, 2025

Editor

After backlash for granting a presidential pardon to Maryam Sanda, sentenced to death in 2020 for the killing of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, President Bola Tinubu has revoked the pardon and reversed her sentence to 12 years.

This was revealed in an official gazette released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday.

According to the gazette, Sanda, who had already spent six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, got the new approved term on compassionate grounds.

Details later…

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JUST IN: Tinubu Bows To Pressure, Reviews Pardon For Kidnapping, Drug-related Offences

Published

1 hour ago

October 29, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has ordered a review of the presidential pardon granted to at least 175 persons at the National Council of State meeting on October 9, 2025, following nationwide outrage over the inclusion of individuals convicted of serious offences.

In a statement on Wednesday, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said, “Consequently, certain persons convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, unlawful possession of firearms/arms dealing, etc., were deleted from the list.”

Onanuga added, “Others who had been hitherto pardoned in the old list had their sentences commuted.”

Details shortly…

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JUST IN: Senate Clears Oluyede As Chief Of Defence Staff

Published

2 hours ago

October 29, 2025

Editor

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Chief of Defence Staff-designate, General Olufemi Oluyede, as it began the screening of the newly appointed service chiefs at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.

Oluyede was confirmed barely an hour after he and other nominees arrived at the complex amid tight security.

Welcoming the nominees to the chamber, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the screening as a constitutional duty aimed at ensuring that only the most competent and patriotic officers are entrusted with safeguarding the nation.

Akpabio said, “Distinguished colleagues, it is with great pleasure that I welcome our newly appointed Service Chiefs to the hallowed chamber of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

On behalf of the entire Senate, “I congratulate you on your well-deserved appointments and commend you for the years of dedicated service you have rendered to our great nation.”

He further explained that the exercise was part of the Senate’s oversight responsibility to guarantee discipline and professionalism within the armed forces, adding that the chamber looked forward to a constructive interaction that would strengthen Nigeria’s security system.

The Senate President added, “Today’s exercise is in keeping with our constitutional duty to provide oversight and ensure that only the most competent, patriotic, and disciplined officers are entrusted with the task of safeguarding our national security and territorial integrity.”

Leading the delegation, Oluyede arrived at the National Assembly complex around 10 a.m. alongside other senior officers. The nominees are being screened by the Committee of the Whole, chaired by Akpabio, before formal confirmation.

Their appearance follows a letter from President Tinubu, which was read during Tuesday’s plenary, urging the Red Chamber to give “expeditious consideration” to the nominations.

The President listed the nominees as General Olufemi Oluyede (Chief of Defence Staff), Major General Waheedi Shaibu (Chief of Army Staff), Rear Admiral Idi Abbas (Chief of Naval Staff), Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke (Chief of Air Staff), and Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye (Chief of Defence Intelligence).

The screening comes just a week after Tinubu held a closed-door meeting with the new service chiefs at the Presidential Villa — his first official engagement with the military hierarchy following last week’s sweeping shake-up in the armed forces.

According to the Presidency, the appointments form part of the administration’s broader efforts to strengthen the national security architecture and improve coordination among the military and intelligence agencies.

Tinubu had also lauded the outgoing service chiefs for their “patriotic service and leadership” and urged their successors to justify the confidence reposed in them by upholding professionalism, unity, and vigilance within the Armed Forces.