News

Poly Students Kick Over Scrapping Of HND Pharmacy Tech

Published

1 year ago

May 8, 2024

Members of the National Association of Polytechnic Students have kicked against the scrapping of Pharmaceutical Technology from the list of Higher National Diploma programmes in Nigeria.

They faulted the agreement between the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria and the National Board of Technical Education, approved by the Federal Government through a memorandum of understanding to accredit and train only National Diploma Pharmacy Technicians.

NBTE and PCN signed this MOU on April 17, at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Education in Kaduna, which was chaired by the Minister of State for Education, Tanko Sununu, and other directors in the ministry, after they resolved the 22-year-old issue on pharmaceutical technologists training.

In a statement released by the Coordinator of the National Association of Polytechnic Students, South West Zone, Monday Obasanya, on Wednesday, the association criticised this action.

Obasanya expressed concern over the future employment prospects of graduates of this course in the labour market, following its dis-accreditation by relevant bodies. He called for a reversal of this decision.

“The dis-accreditation of the course has not only left thousands of students and graduates in a state of uncertainty but also raised questions about their employability and prospects. We are worried that the graduates of this course, who have invested significant time and resources in their education, may be denied opportunities in the labour market due to the perceived invalidation of their qualifications.

“We fear that this decision will lead to a waste of human resources, as many of these graduates may be forced to abandon their chosen career paths and seek alternative fields, leading to brain drain and loss of expertise in the healthcare sector. This is unacceptable and has far-reaching implications for the country’s development.

“We demand that the Federal Ministry of Education, NBTE, and PCN take immediate action to address the concerns of the affected students and graduates. We call for a reversal of the dis-accreditation decision and validation of the Pharmaceutical Technology course in polytechnics,” Obasanya said.

He added that prospective employers of labour in the health sector should not undermine the qualifications of graduates from this field, and provide available opportunities to them.

Speaking with our correspondent, a student, Omolola Omon said she was disheartened when she heard the news.

She said, “Segregation has been in existence for a long time, students who want to apply for direct entry are being turned down just because they studied pharmaceutical technology in polytechnic.

“My colleagues are bothered and confused about their fate after graduation. If the medical sector cannot accept them, what is now the essence of going for the program.”

Sunday Oguntola, a recent graduate of Pharmaceutical Technology said he is displeased with the unjust dis-accreditation by both parties, as he described it as an inconsiderate decision with no weighty reason.

“This is not just unfair but inhumane and we perceive the serious attempt of the government to truly take education out of the reach of the common masses. This issue has also brought concern to the current students on campus that have been offered that course and also students who are graduates of this discipline.

“We want to issue a 48-hour ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu to call to order his Minister of Education, not by any means to render our certificate useless else, we will take to the streets to speak to them in the only language they understand. We would not allow five years of our journey to be wasted,” Oguntola said.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the NBTE, Fatima Abubakar, in a text, promised to get back to our correspondent but no response was gotten at the time of filing this report.

“Please bear with me, I want to get the information from the source. I will get back to you,” Abubakar said.

News

FG Floats N50bn Green Bond To Fund Renewable Energy, Afforestation, Others

Published

5 minutes ago

June 16, 2025

Editor

The Debt Management Office (DMO) has put on offer a N50 billion Green Bond on behalf of the federal government.

Director-General of the DMO, Ms. Patience Oniha, told investors at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos on Monday afternoon that the proceeds would be used to fund several climate-friendly projects such as renewable energy, afforestation and dams across the country.

The instrument has a five-year tenor and will be benchmarked against the FGN Savings Bond which is treated in the nation’s capital market.

Details later…

News

Benue Massacre: David Mark Blows Hot, Says Self Maybe Last Option

Published

50 minutes ago

June 16, 2025

Editor

Former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, has warned that if the unending killings in Benue State are not nipped in the bud by the federal government, the people will not have any other option than to defend themselves.

He expressed deep concern over the continued and escalating killings of citizens in Benue State, stressing that the ugly situation of almost daily massacres may compel residents to resort to self-help and defend themselves if the government continues to fail in its fundamental duty of protecting lives and property.

In a statement signed on Monday in Abuja by his media adviser, Paul Mumeh, the former president of the Senate decried the deteriorating security situation in Benue, which has led to the loss of hundreds of lives and widespread destruction of property. He described the killings as “senseless, tragic, and unacceptable”.

Senator Mark, who emphasised that the primary responsibility of any government is the welfare and security of its citizens, stressed that any deviation from this mandate constitutes a gross disservice to the people, adding, “This is the unfortunate reality the Benue people are confronted with. Government must rise to its responsibility or risk leaving the people with no option but to defend themselves.”

Senator Mark urged the federal government to fulfil its constitutional obligation to safeguard the lives and property of all Nigerians. He also called on the state government, under the leadership of Governor Hyacinth Alia, to intensify its efforts in ensuring the safety of the people.

The former president of the Senate appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, and stakeholders to remain vigilant and cooperate fully with security agencies in identifying and apprehending those behind these heinous crimes.

To the people of Benue, Senator Mark offered a message of solidarity and resilience. “This is a trying moment for our people,” he said. “We must unite, mobilise, and speak with one voice against the invaders. We must refuse to bow to fear.”

Despite the ongoing provocations, he urged the people to remain law-abiding, stay united, and uphold the enduring spirit of being their brother’s keeper.

News

Police Arrest Suspected Killer Of US lawmaker

Published

2 hours ago

June 16, 2025

Editor

US law enforcement officials in Minnesota said the suspected killer of a Democratic state lawmaker and her husband was taken into custody without force on Sunday, after a two-day manhunt.

Vance Boelter, 57, was arrested on Sunday following a two-day manhunt in the Midwestern state, law enforcement officials said.

“There was no use of force by any member of law enforcement that was out there, and the suspect was taken into custody without an use of force,” Minnesota State Patrol Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Geiger told a press conference.

Recall Trump and US Attorney General Pam Bondi decried the incident as “horrific violence” and said the perpetrators would be prosecuted to “the fullest extent of the law.”

State representative Melissa Hortman — the former speaker — and her husband Mark were killed at their home near Minneapolis, Governor Tim Walz told a press conference.

State senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot and wounded, the governor said, his voice breaking with emotion. He said officials remained “cautiously optimistic” they would recover.

“This was an act of targeted political violence,” Walz told reporters.

“Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don’t settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint.”

Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said Hoffman and his wife were shot first, and as police investigated, Hortman and her husband were shot about 90 minutes later.

The suspected gunman was able to escape during an exchange of gunfire with officers near Hortman’s residence, Evans told reporters.