Education
Kogi Poly Expels 34 Students over Exam Malpractices, Cultism
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Academic Board of Kogi State Polytechnic at its regular meeting on Thursday considered reports of various committees and approved the expulsion of 34 students for involvement in examination malpractices, certificate forgery and cultism.
According to the Academic Board, the expelled students’ conduct contravened the relevant sections in the Students Information Handbook of the Polytechnic which stipulate penalties for involvement in examination malpractice, certificate forgery and cultism respectively.
The expelled students were from different Schools and Departments of the Institution.
The Board also approved the graduation of 959 students from various Schools and Departments as recommended by the Result Verification Committee.
Some of the expelled students were part of the “Examination Magic Centre” syndicate, recently uncovered by the Institution at the Sarkin Noma area in Lokoja metropolis.
According to the Committee’s report, the ‘magic centre’ was organized by one Ibrahim Ayatu, an HND II student of the Department of Accountancy and one Ayeni Clement, an ex-student of the Polytechnic.
The Board approved that Ibrahim Ayatu be expelled from the institution, while Clement Ayeni should be banned from entering the Polytechnic until further notice.
The Academic Board also set up Committee to review the unworthy character of Mr. Clement Ayeni for appropriate decision.
Similarly, one Mr. Ekele Hassan, HND I Industrial Design (Graphics), who is also a staff of the Polytechnic was expelled for being caught with an already answered booklet.
In addition, Alih Kemalu and Isah A. Habib from the Department of Public Administration were expelled for their involvement in cult related activities.
Furthermore, one Nda Zubairu, an HND II student of the Department of Science Laboratory Technology was also expelled for forgery of National Diploma (ND) Statement of Result from the Federal Polytechnic Idah which he used to secure HND admission in the Kogi State Polytechnic.
One Emmanuel Oluwaseun Ojo, HND II student of the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Engineering was also expelled for being in possession of dangerous weapons which he attempted to use against his fellow student.
The Acting Rector, Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman while congratulating the just graduated students, also urged them to be worthy ambassadors of the institution in their future endeavors.
Dr. Usman Ogbo affirmed that, Kogi State Polytechnic will not tolerate any negative activities of few individuals within its fold that is capable of tarnishing the hard earned reputation of the institution.
Education
NECO Reschedules 2024 Common Entrance Exam into Unity Colleges
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has re-scheduled the 2024 National Common Entrance Examination into Federal Unity Colleges and the entrance examination into Federal Government Academy, Suleja.
This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday by Azeez Sani, acting Director, Information and Digital Communication of the council.
Sani stated that the common entrance examination earlier scheduled for April 20, 2024, would now hold on June 1, 2024.
He also said that the entrance examination for Gifted and Talented Children into Federal Government Academy, Suleja, earlier scheduled to hold on May 4,
2024 would now hold on May 25, 2024.
He added that the rescheduling of the two examinations was due to low enrollment of candidates.
He enjoined candidates, parents, guardians, schools and relevant stakeholders to take note of the new dates.
Sani said that registration of candidates would continue till the new dates of the examinations. (NAN)
Education
Six Nigerian Universities to Benefit from EU’s €27m Funding
By Eddy Ochigbo
No fewer than six Nigerian Universities have been selected to benefit from the 15 Intra-Africa Mobility Scheme Projects funded by the European Union (EU) with €27 million under the flagship Youth Mobility for Africa.
Permanent Secretary, of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs.
Didi Walson-Jack, who signed the agreement at the Global Gateway High-Level Event on Education in Brussels, said Nigeria would also benefit from the regional Team Europe Initiative on Opportunity-driven Skills, Vocational Education and Training in AfricaUnder the initiative, the European Union would spend €27 million, allocating €1.
8 million to each of the Projects in the education and healthcare sectors in Africa.These Projects, which are to be facilitated by various Universities, aim to enhance learning mobility opportunities for Students, Trainees, and Staff across the Continent, focusing on developing high-level green and digital skills.
The participating Universities include the University of Lagos, the University of Port-Harcourt, Ebonyi State University, the Federal University of Technology, and the University of Nigeria.
Education
UTME: Police, JAMB Warn Candidates Against Patronising Fake Websitess
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the police have warned candidates preparing for the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) against patronising fake websites.
The two bodies gave the warning at a joint news conference in Abuja on Saturday.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said there were several fake websites created by unscrupulous individuals with the intention of misleading candidates.
He urged candidates to be wary of their tactics, saying the fake web sites were designed to deceive innocent candidates into providing personal details such as registration numbers, email addresses, and phone numbers.
“Both JAMB and the Nigeria Police Force condemn these fraudulent activities and hereby reiterate the readiness to safeguard the interests of candidates and maintain the integrity of the examination process.
“We urge parents, guardians, and all stakeholders to ensure that candidates print their UTME Notification Slips only from the Board’s approved website: www.jamb.gov.ng.
“Candidates can print their slips from the comfort of their homes or visit any of the over 700 accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide,” he said.
Adejobi explained that the force was familiar with the tactics employed by fraudsters, especially during the annual assessment and admission exercises.
He, therefore, said that both organisations was actively sensitising candidates and the public about these deceptive practices.
“Any candidate who visits these fake sites will definitely have unreliable information and thereby miss out in the forthcoming exams.
“Candidates are advised to print their UTME Notification Slips before Friday, 19th April, 2024, to access vital information about their examinations.
“Any website other than www.jamb.gov.ng offering UTME slip printing services is fake and designed to defraud candidates,” he said.
He also called on candidates to beware of web sites offering ‘live’ questions and answers, as they were false and deceptive, saying that accessing such materials was prohibited.
He further said the board was partnering with the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC) to address online scam-related issues seamlessly.
He assured candidates and the public of the force firm dedication to ensuring a fair and transparent examination process.
He also stressed that the Inspector General of Police had ordered the NPF-NCCC to go after scammers and fraudsters who engage in cyber related crimes and create phishing sites/portals.
On his part, the JAMB spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin, pledged the Board’s commitment to continue in playing its role
He, therefore, urged candidates to ignore any unsolicited messages noting that they were from elements who aim at defrauding candidates.
The 2024 UTME is scheduled to commence on Friday, April 19, and end on April 29. (NAN)