News

TETfund Trains Over 37,000 Scholars For Local, Foreign PhDs, Other programmes

Published

2 years ago

August 18, 2023

…Laments failure of beneficiaries to serve their bonds at home institutions after completing programmes

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETfund, said it has successfully sponsored over 37,000 scholars for both foreign and local PhDs, Masters, Bench Work, and Postdoctoral programmes in various institutions.

But it disclosed that it was considering suspending the segment of the foreign component of the scholarship due to the recent CBN monetary policy, which it noted,resulted in a sharp drop in the value of the Naira thus creating difficulties in the payment of foreign scholarship tuition fees and stipends.

The development came even as TETFund recently signed several Memoranda of Understanding,MoU’s with some prestigious institutions overseas, including universities in Malaysia, India, Brazil, France and the United States with a view to boosting and enhancing the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff, TSAS programme.

Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono,who said these on Wednesday,at a One-Day Stakeholders’ Engagement on Emerging Issues that Affect TETFund Intervention Programmes,in Abuja, lamented the deliberate failure of beneficiaries to return to serve their bonds at their home institutions upon completion of their programmes.

He said: ”The Fund, for instance, has successfully sponsored over 37,000 scholars for both foreign and local PhDs, Masters, Bench Work, and Postdoc programs in various institutions.

“Recently, we encountered difficulties that compelled a review of foreign scholarships. The recent CBN monetary policy, which resulted in a sharp drop in the value of the Naira has created difficulties in the payment of foreign scholarship tuition fees and stipends.

“As a solution, we are considering suspending the segment of the foreign component of the TETFund scholarship outside the 11 MOUs executed by the Fund, while considering an upward review of the local TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff,TSAS intervention.

“Additionally, there are issues related to scholars not returning to serve their bonds at their home institutions upon completion of their programmes.

“Infact the challenge of scholars absconding has undermine and complicated the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS) program and bringing it under intense scrutiny.

” It is for these and other reasons that this engagement was organized. We need to address these challenges and find solutions to ensure the effective and smooth implementation of our scholarship programmes.”

Echono said the “Fund at this material time is also discouraging beneficiary institutions from initiating new Benchwork programmes.”

Explaining that the engagement was to foster open dialogue and collaboration among the Fund’s key stakeholders, Echono said: ”We understand the significance of your collective insights, ideas, and feedback in enhancing the effectiveness of our intervention programs. It is through the shared efforts that we can drive positive changes and accelerate the development of our nation’s education sector.”

He spoke further: “As an agency of the government tasked with rebuilding and supporting the nation’s tertiary institutions, we are fully aware of the enormous responsibility and task before us, especially considering the importance of tertiary education in nation-building.

“The Fund has been entrusted with the responsibility of rehabilitating the physical infrastructure and other content aspects of the nation’s entire public tertiary institutions. To fulfill this mission, various intervention lines of the Fund were established.

“Over the years, the Fund has not only supported public tertiary institutions in the rehabilitation and provision of physical infrastructure but has also contributed to the training of academic staff in postgraduate studies both locally and internationally.

” It has also supported the development and conversion of manuscripts into books and invested in the libraries of these institutions with materials and other resources. Additionally, the Fund has provided support for conference attendance, research, and publications, significantly improving the standard and quality of teaching, and learning in our nation’s tertiary institutions. Despite the progress achieved, much still needs to be done, and the Fund remains committed to continuously improving its services and operations through stakeholder engagement and other means.”

The TETFund boss noted that since his assumption of office, he has taken significant steps aimed at repositioning and advancing TETFund’s objectives.

“This One-Day Interactive Engagement with Heads of Beneficiary Institutions was initiated last year to gather valuable feedback on TETFund intervention projects. These invaluable inputs received have been instrumental in refining our strategies and ensuring that our projects are tailored to meet the specific needs of beneficiary institutions. Some of the reforms implemented include a review of the Audit Process to curb attendant delays. We also took proactive steps to address issues related to distressed and abandoned projects across institutions.

“By strengthening and streamlining our proposals review process and implementing a robust Monitoring & Evaluation policy, we have been able to achieve smoother and faster execution of physical infrastructure interventions. Issues related to variation of projects have constantly featured in my engagements with institutions.

“The rate of inflation in the country has made it necessary that we reconsider the fixed cost regime for physical infrastructure intervention depending on the project lifecycle.

“Projects with more than one year lifecycle are likely to be affected by inflation and rise in cost of materials, as such variation in such cases may be justifiable. The Fund is further considering either converting the Fabrication interventions line to Skills acquisition or introducing Skill Acquisition as an Annual Direct Disbursement Intervention line. There is also the need to undertake a comprehensive audit of all equipment, particularly the skill G equipment, procured and delivered to institutions to establish their status and identify those that require upgrade,”he further said.

According to him, in recognition of the importance of empowering the staff of Career Units in Nigerian universities,the Fund had designed a Capacity Building programme specifically for “these staff members.”

“This programme will equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to support students in developing capabilities to find and sustain meaningful employment. The train-the-trainer (TTT) model will be adopted, where three (3) participants from each beneficiary university will receive training from the IFC experts on the details of setting up or restructuring career services units to meet global standards. These trained participants will then pass on their knowledge to other staff members of career support units at their respective universities.

“We believe that these initiatives along with the NSQF designed for the Polytechnic sector, will contribute significantly to the improvement of employability practices in Nigeria and pave the way for a brighter future for our graduates. We extend our deep appreciation to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for their unwavering support as we strive to create a stronger and more prosperous future for our graduates and the nation,” he said.

Going further,he said: “In our efforts to leverage on communication and information technology to expand access, improve quality and promote inclusiveness in the delivery of tertiary education in our country.

“The Fund has intensified the implementation of our digital literacy road map starting from home, we have commenced the full implementation of the LDI online submissions platform. Henceforth the submission of proposals for the physical infrastructure projects by institutions will be carried out online.

“The provision of fixed mobile internet services to staff and students of various institutions programme will also be fully implemented.

“The Fund is also implementing the converged services programme which includes capacity development and train the trainer [TTT] on communication skills and online certification courses for students across institutions.

“The capacity-building programme and training-the-trainer and technical works for blackboard enhanced e-learning platform is currently being implemented, while the phase two of the thesis digitization project will proceed as planned.”

News

Atiku Slams Tinubu Over U-turn On Pardon For Convicts

Published

8 hours ago

October 29, 2025

Editor

The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday berated President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s reversal of the presidential pardon list, describing the move as “an act of shame, not wisdom.”

In a statement signed by his aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku accused the administration of lacking foresight and moral consistency, following Tinubu’s decision to revoke the earlier pardon granted to Sanda and several other convicts.

“Once again, Nigerians have witnessed a government that doesn’t lead — it reacts,” Atiku said.

“President Bola Tinubu has ‘cancelled’ his own pardon for drug traffickers, kidnappers, and other hardened criminals — but only after Nigerians shouted loud enough to wake him from his moral slumber.

“Let’s be clear: this U-turn is not an act of wisdom, it’s an act of shame.”

He questioned the process that led to the initial inclusion of many convicts on the list, demanding transparency from the presidency.

“Who compiled the list of beneficiaries? What criteria justified freeing kidnappers and drug offenders? Where was the Attorney-General when this absurdity was cooked up? And why does this government only ‘discover its conscience’ after Nigerians express outrage?” Atiku asked.

Describing the pardon saga as “a national embarrassment,” he added that the presidency’s frequent reversals on policy decisions showed Nigeria was being “governed without foresight, without empathy, and without shame.”

“If the President truly means well, let him publish the list of all those who were meant to benefit from this scandal. Until then, this cancellation is nothing but damage control — too little, too late,” he said.

The remarks came amid widespread reactions trailing Tinubu’s revocation of the earlier pardon granted to Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for murdering her husband, Bilyaminu Bello.

While the Labour Party commended the president for bowing to public pressure, the New Nigerian Peoples Party faulted the administration’s inconsistency.

NNPP spokesperson, Ladipo Johnson, said, “It is disgraceful that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will announce pardons and then the presidency will say they want to vet and go over the things again.

“Given public opinion, it’s not a surprise that they have reversed it, but it just shows that the presidency needs to get its act together.”

However, Labour Party interim National Publicity Secretary, Tony Akeni, commended Tinubu’s decision to listen to public sentiment, saying, “What Tinubu has demonstrated is that he listened to the people of Nigeria. We commend him for that.”

He urged the president to extend such responsiveness to “issues that affect Nigerians,” including the nation’s debt profile and policies that “promote hunger and hardship.”

Tinubu’s reversal, announced through an official gazette by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, commuted Sanda’s death sentence to 12 years imprisonment, factoring in the six years and eight months already served.

The U-turn followed a wave of public outrage that trailed the initial pardon.

News

Edo Deputy Gov Raises Concern Over Documentation On Radisson Hotel

Published

10 hours ago

October 29, 2025

Editor

Edo State deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, on Wednesday expressed worry over the clarity of documentation surrounding Radisson Hotel, Benin City,
project’s acquisition and the roles of previous vendors and consultants.

In a statement, his Chief Press Secretary, Chief Press Secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo said the deputy governor spoke when he led a government delegation on an inspection tour of the five-storey luxury hotel.

Idahosa, who expressed dismay over certain lapses observed during the visit, however, appealed for calm among stakeholders and residents, urging patience as the state awaits the outcome of the legislative probe.

The governor said that Governor Monday Okpebholo had forwarded relevant documents to the Edo State House of Assembly for investigation into the acquisition process.

“Once the House concludes its findings, we will act accordingly to ensure transparency and accountability,” he assured.

Frustrated by what he described as “vague answers” from contractors about the project’s completion timeline, Idahosa pressed for clarity on when the hotel would finally be
opened to the public.

“Edo people deserve to know when this investment will start yielding value,” he stated.

He, nonetheless, tasked workers at the construction site to ensure strict adherence to safety and environmental standards.

He said the warning became necessary in order to avoid casualties at the site of the flagship hospitality project expected to redefine the state’s tourism and entertainment landscape.

He also challenged the contractors to ensure the best standard and quality materials are used for the project.

He emphasized that the state government’s intention was not to witch-hunt the contractors but to ensure the project meets both Radisson’s global benchmarks and the Edo State Government’s quality standards.

He reaffirmed that government agencies would maintain close oversight to ensure full compliance with building, safety, and environmental regulations.

“We will not compromise on standards. Radisson Benin must meet the expectations of the brand and the people of Edo State.

“Our goal is simple, Edo State deserves the best,” Idahosa declared. “We want a facility that will attract visitors from around the world and make our state the hospitality hub of Nigeria,” he stated.

During the visit, the deputy governor conducted an on-the-spot SWOT analysis of the project, examining facilities such as the water reservoir, power plant, and sample rooms.

Also speaking during the inspection, Mr. Igabali Darlington Imoesili, Managing Director of the Edo State Development and Building Control Agency, flagged inconsistencies in the facility’s documentation, including conflicting figures on the number of rooms and deviations from approved plans.

“We have records indicating 170 rooms, the site engineer says 169, and the project manager says 178. These discrepancies raise serious concerns,” Imoesili noted.

He added that his office would demand all approved documents for verification.

The hotel’s resident architect, Olumide Taiwo, who conducted the team around the site, assured the delegation that the firm was working closely with the Radisson brand to maintain its global quality and safety standards.

News

Reviewed List Of Presidential Pardon Recipients

Published

10 hours ago

October 29, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has approved a revised list of convicts granted clemency under the Instrument of Presidential Prerogative of Mercy, 2025.

This is as the Presidency announced a review of the pardon list following widespread criticism.

The list, dated October 21, 2025 and personally signed by the President, contains 86 names of inmates across various correctional facilities nationwide, whose sentences were reduced or commuted under Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The document, sighted by PUNCH Online, titled “Reduced Terms of Imprisonment and Sentence, 2025,” shows that several inmates convicted for offences ranging from manslaughter, culpable homicide, drug trafficking, illegal possession of firearms, conspiracy, and unlawful mining were granted reduced sentences.

They include:

Homicide and Manslaughter Cases

•Yusuf Owolabi (36) – Convicted of manslaughter in 2015 and sentenced to life imprisonment at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri. Now to serve 15 years based on “educational improvement, remorsefulness and acquisition of vocational skills.”
•Ifeanyi Eze (33) – Life sentence for manslaughter (2021), now to serve 15 years.
•Maryam Sanda (37) – Convicted for culpable homicide (2020) and sentenced to death by hanging. Her sentence commuted to 12 years based on “compassionate grounds, the best interest of her children, good conduct and remorsefulness.”
•Markus Yusuf (41) – Culpable homicide (2023), 13-year sentence reduced to 8 years due to ill health.
•Alhaji Abubakar Tanko (61) – Culpable homicide (2018), 30-year term reduced to 20 years.

Drug and Narcotics Offences

•Patrick Mensah (40) – Drugs (2015), 17 years reduced to 13 years.
•Obi Edwin Chukwu (43), Tunde Balogun (32), Lima Pereira Erick Diego (27), Uchegbu Emeka Michael (37), Salawu Adebayo Samsudeen (46), and Napolo (61) were all convicted for drug trafficking between 2015–2017.

“Sentences of 15 years reduced to 12 years each based on “remorsefulness and vocational skill acquisition.”

Financial and Fraud-related Offences

•Mustapha Ahmed (46) – Criminal breach of trust; 7-year sentence cut to 5 years.
•Innocent Brown Idiong (60) – Possession of Indian hemp; 10-year term reduced to 6 years.
•Inibong Imayen Nuikidem (46) – Obtaining money by false pretence; 7 years cut to 5 years.
•Buka Adamu (40) – Advance fee fraud; 20 years reduced to 9 years.
•Ada Audu (72) – Fraud; 7-year mandatory imprisonment cut to 4 years.
•Chief Jonathan Alatoru (66), Umannah Ekatte (70), Utom Thompson Udoaka (60) – Granted reduced terms for age, remorsefulness and good conduct.

Firearms and Related Offences

•Abubakar Mamman (38) – Possession of AK-47 rifle (2020); 10-year sentence cut to 7 years.
•Muhammed Bello Musa (35) – Possession of firearms; 10 years reduced to 7 years.
•Nnamdi Anene (67) – Illegal dealing in firearms; life sentence commuted to 20 years.
•Alhaji Ibrahim Hameed (71) – Illegal property possession; 7 years reduced to 5 years.

Maritime and Conspiracy Offences

•Bright Agbedeyi (46), Babangida Saliu (35), Jude Saka Ebaragha (44), Frank Insort Abaka (46), Sluna Alolo (42), David Akinseye (39), Ahmed Toyin (46), Shobajo Saheed (57), Adamole Philip (52), and Mathew Masi (39) were all convicted for conspiracy to hijack fishing vessels in 2020. Their 12-year sentences were reduced to eight years with N1m fines waived “based on remorsefulness and impecuniosity.”

Unlawful Mining Offenders

A total of at least 45 inmates across the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Agodi, Oyo State, were convicted in January 2024 for unlawful mining.

Each was sentenced to three years, now reduced to two years, “based on remorsefulness, good conduct and a letter of undertaking dated April 22, 2025,” reportedly facilitated by Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis for their rehabilitation and empowerment after release.

The list includes:
Yusuf Alhassan, Abdullahi Isah, Zayanu Bello, Habeeb Suleman, Jubria Sahabi, Shefiu Umar, Seidu Abubakar, Haruna Abubakar, Rabiu Seidu, Macha Kuru, Zahradeen Aminu, Nazipi Musa, Abdullahi Musa, Habibu Safiu, Husseni Sani, Musa Lawali, Suleiman Lawale, Yusuf Iliyasu, Sabiyu Aliyu, Halliru Sani, Shittu Aliyu, Sanusi Aminu, Isaaka Adamu, Mamman Ibrahim, Shaibu Abdullahi, Sanusi Adamu, Sadi Musa, and Haruna Isah, among others.

Presidential Approval and Legal Backing

The document cites Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the President to “grant any person concerned with or convicted of any offence in Nigeria a pardon, either free or subject to lawful conditions.”

It was formally titled: “S.I. No. 79 of 2025: Instrument of Presidential Prerogative of Mercy (Reduced Terms of Imprisonment and Sentence).”
(PUNCH)