President of the South South Coalition of Esan Sons and Daughters for Good Governance, Oyamendan Oziegbe has called on APC delegates in Edo State to Vote Dr. David Imuse as the party’s flag bearer ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State.
Dr. David Imuse
Oziegbe who stated this in a statement after the monthly of the political pressure group in Port Harcourt,Rivers State said it was time to put Edo State on the right track of development with well articulated policies and programmes geared towards liberating the Edo people from the claws of underdevelopment.
“We the South South Coalition of Esan Sons and Daughters For Good Governance have decided to throw our weight behind Dr David Imuse based on his enviable track record of service and capacity to deliver,he is a man of destiny,we appeal to the good people of Edo State to support our noble choice”.
“We shall mobilize all sons and daughters within the state and beyond to galvanize support for this great man Dr. David Imuse”.
Dr. David Imuse
According to the President, Coalition of Esan Sons and Daughters for Good Governance. “Dr David Imuse had all the qualities required to fly the party’s flag in the 2024 Edo state governorship election and win the election”.
“We have seen from among all the governorship aspirants drumming for the Edo State government House, that Dr. David Imuse had distinguished himself as a man of proven loyalty to the party, a man with competence,capacity,calm temperament and political sagacity to take Edo State to a higher pedestal”.
“With his wealth of experience, we believe that he is proper and fit to govern Edo state. We urge all well meaning APC members in Edo state to use their power to deliver Dr. David Imuse as the party’s flag bearer”.
“The time for governmental experiments is over, we need a charismatic leader that will govern Edo state for the good of all Edo people irrespective of religion,ethnicity and political affiliation”.
Oziegbe said “Dr. David Imuse retired as a Director, Nigerian Army Medical Corps. He is a household name that lives among the people. He knows the delineation and peculiarities of Edo state having served as the party chairman and had transversed the state’s 292 wards, a record three times in the last ten years”.
The Member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ngozi Lawrence Okolie, has congratulated the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, on his victory at the Supreme Court on Friday.
In a statement he personally signed, the astute Lawmaker, who rose to the National Assembly on the platform of Labour Party (LP), described Oborevwori’s victory as a legal vindication that further strengthens the Delta State and the nation’s democratic process.
While urging Deltans to rally behind Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for a stronger and more prosperous Delta., Ngozi Okolie noted that “In every coronation, there is a process. Today, GOD has through the Supreme Court concluded the election of Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori as the Governor of Delta State. I pray that GOD will guide and guard him to do his best for Delta State.
“I urge all including those that challenged the victory to support our Governor for the betterment of our dear state. Afterall, what we all seek is the development of our dear state. Congratulations to our Governor, Congratulations to Delta State, Congratulations Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency.
“This momentous triumph signifies not only a legal vindication but also reinforces the trust and confidence Deltans have placed in the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori”
The Federal High Court sitting in Asaba today, Tuesday 16, January, 2023, granted the motions and prayers filed by Mrs Oghenetejiri Nwafili, wife of unlawful detained Delta Politician and Estate Agent, Mr. Ben Chukwudumebi Nwafili, against the Delta State Commissioner of Police for continuously detaining him illegally since July 23, 2023, when he was reportedly arrested at Okpanam, near Asaba by officers of the Anti-Kidnap Squad, a Unit of the Nigeria Police Force serving at the Delta Police Command.
CP Wale Abass
This newspaper gathered that Ben Nwafili, who was a House of Assembly Candidate for Ndokwa East State Constituency in 2019 General Elections, was picked up (for unknown reason) in vicinity near his Okpanam residence on the fateful day while his Toyota Corolla Saloon car and his telephone handsets were taken along with him and enquiries by his wife, Mrs. Oghenetejiri Nwafili, a mother of three and businesswoman subsequently revealed that her husband was taken and detained at the Anti-Kidnap unit of the Delta Police Command.
Federal High Court Asaba
In a Motion on Notice filed by the Nwafilis lawyers, Onyeisi Chiemeke Esq. and Mkenchor Jeffrey Esq. of Onyeisi Chiemeke & Associates, the legal counsels sought the Court’s declaration that the arrest on 23rd July, 2023 of Ben Chukwudumebi Nwafili and his continuous detention at the instance of the Commissioner of Police without trial is a violation of his right to fair hearing, dignity to human person, liberty and freedom of movement as guaranteed by Sections 34, 35, 36, 41 and 43 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and Articles 6, 7 and 12 of the African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights and Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Ben Chukwudumebi Nwafili
The Motion on Notice and Prayers were granted by Justice F. A. Olubanjo, of the Federal High Court, Court 1, Asaba, while Nwafili’s lawyers await for the date for hearing of the case.
According to a document by Mrs Oghenetejiri Nwafili (Affidavit in Support of Motion on Notice by Ben Chukwudumebi Nwafili’s lawyers) made available to Spade Nigeria News online; several attempts by her to see the husband and ascertain what his offence was, were thwarted by the police.
CP Wale Abass
On 19th September, 2023 she had written a letter to the Commissioner of Police in Asaba urging him to release the husband; a hypertensive and ulcer patient or charge him to court but since then, there had been no response from the Commissioner of Police.
It was gathered that since his arrest and detention six months ago, no charges have been brought against him, neither have the police allowed his family or doctor access to him despite efforts by his wife, Mrs. Oghenetejiri Nwafili to ascertain from the Delta State police authorities what her husband’s offence is.
Nwafili’s legal counsels, in their Suit filed on 2nd of November, 2023 at the Federal High Court, Asaba sought to enforce his fundamental rights by releasing him with immediate effect and also compelling the Commissioner of Police to pay Nwafili the sum of N15million for illegally detaining.
The detainee’s lawyer also sought the Federal High Court’s Order for his immediate release and a further Order restraining the Commissioner of Police or his agents, from harassing , threatening, arresting and detaining Nwafili as such actions constitute a breach of his rights of dignity to human person, liberty and freedom of movement as guaranteed by the afore-mentioned Sections of 35, 36, 41 and 43 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and Articles 5, 6,12 and 15 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement Act) (Cap. A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The Motion on Notice also sought the Court’s order awarding the sum of N15,000,000 (Fifteen Million Naira only) to Nwafili against the Commissioner of Police jointly and severally for the arrest, detention, harassment, torture which are all violation of the detainee’s Fundamental Rights of dignity of person, personal liberty and freedom of movement as guaranteed by the various aforementioned sections of the Nigerian Constitution and African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. The lawyers are also seeking Order of the Federal High Court to compel the Commissioner of Police to produce Nwafili on the date of hearing the suit.
In her Affidavit in Support of the Motion on Notice, wife of the detainee Mrs. Oghenetejiri Nwafili among other things, said that her husband who was arrested within the vicinity of their Okpanam residence has been subjected to inhuman and degrading treatments to the point that he has been held incommunicado and it has been extremely difficult to maintain regular contact with him.
She also disclosed that despite her personal petition dated 19th September, 2023, the Commissioner of Police has continued with violation of her husband’s right while the husband’s Toyota Corolla Saloon car and telephones reportedly seized by the police have been with the police till date at the Police Command Headquarters, Asaba.
The businessman also alleged that her husband has been a hypertensive and ulcer patient who has continuously been denied of his orthodox and traditional treatments thereby worsening his health situation with the possible consequence of death if not promptly released or charged to court.
CP Wale Abass
Efforts by Spade Nigeria News Online contacting the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) through phone calls and Whatsapp message for comments on the arrest and illegal detention of Mr. Nwafili, were not successful as DSP Edafe’s phone was not answered as at the time he was called.
The Asagba of Asaba , Professor Chike Edozien has harped on the need for all to work towards the effective development of the City.
Asagba Vocational Training Centre Asaba
The Asagba made the call during the official groundbreaking of Asagba of Asaba Vocational Training centre located at the back of the Federal College Technical Asaba.
The Asagba while delivering his address said he was elated to see his dream of having a vocational training centre coming to reality.
The revered monarch who was represented by the Odogwu of Asaba, Obi Nwanze Oduah said the building of the vocational training centre and adjoining luxury Estate will attract more investors to Asaba as well as solve the issue of housing in the city.
The consultant to the Asagba of Asaba on Land matters and Water front projects, Architect Ofili Mordi in an interview said the citing of the Asagba Vocational training centre was part of decisions reached by the Federal government to ensure that part of the vast area of land allocated for the Federal College Technical Asaba was to create a buffer zone of human habitation and invigorate human activities in that location to ensure that hoodlums do not use the location for their nefarious activities.
Architect Ofili revealed that the Federal government mandated Asaba Esia global services limited to be in charge of the Development of the location and the company partnered with Big C Estate Property.
The Chief Executive Officer of Big C Real Estate and Properties, Ambassador Dr Aforjama Joachim assured that the company would create a luxury estate that would be the talk of all Estate in Asaba and thanked the Asagba of Asaba for finding them worthy to be partner in ensuring that human activities take place in the area.
The ceremony which was attended by the ambassadors of Big C, featured the official launching of the Project.
The Director-General, Delta State Contributory Health Commission, Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, has reiterated the commitment of the Commission to increasing access to healthcare delivery in line with the MORE Agenda of the Oborevwori administration.
Delta State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme, DHIS
Dr. Akpoveta stated this when he played host to the executives of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Asaba Zone, in his office in Asaba.
The DG noted that the present administration remained firm in ensuring that all projects started by the previous administration were completed as a reflection of the principle of continuity in government, as well as for the good of Deltans and residents of the state.
Dr. Akpoveta appealed to members of the NMA to key into the “Enrollee Indigent Adoption Programme” initiated by the commission, urging them to buy health insurance for indigent persons around them.
Dr. Akpoveta noted that about 380 persons had been registered into the initiative, courtesy of individuals, unions and associations.
The Director-General reemphasized the commitment of the commission to doubling the number of enrollees into the scheme before the end of the present administration, adding that the target was to make Delta State the number one in health insurance scheme management in the country.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Asaba Zone, Dr Christopher Otene, said the association had carried out a massive public health enlightenment campaign as part of assisting the relevant agencies in stamping out medical quackery in the state.
Dr. Otene added that the association was collaborating with other state governments and non-governmental bodies to advance health and empowering people to make informed health decisions, as well as assisting people in the provision of smooth, efficient and effective healthcare services.
Dr. Otene said that the appointment of Dr Akpoveta as DG of the commission was well deserved, given his contribution to strategically position the commission when he served two tenures as pioneer Chairman of the commission.
He observed the exemplary lifestyle and commitment the DG had shown to service through his unwavering commitment to doubling the number of enrollees in the contributory health insurance scheme within one year in the state, and expressed the belief in his ability to ensure access to quality healthcare services for all residents in the state, irrespective of socio-economic status and geographical location.
Dr Otene commended the state governor for appointing Akpoveta. He reiterated the willingness of the zone to collaborate with the commission in organising public awareness campaigns to educate residents on the advantages of enrolling in the health insurance scheme as well as participating in expanding the network of participating healthcare providers, to complement efforts of the state government towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), by the year 2030.
The initiator of the annual Haven of Refuge Foundation Crusade and Empowerment programme, Pastor (Mrs) Florence Izagbo has pledged avowed commitment to impacting lives positively through her project.
She affirmed this, while interacting with journalists at the fifth stanza in the series of the annual soul lifting and empowerment scheme recently held at Ibusa in Delta State.
According to her, the crusade and empowerment scheme reminds us of our Lord Jesus provision of succor by feeding the multitude spiritually and materially.
“This project was conceptualized and designed to provide relief to widows, the vulnerable and less privileged in the society.
She further revealed that the scheme which has equally recorded remarkable success, would be expanded to neighboring communities and other states and regions within Nigeria, so as to give it a wider outreach.
An attendee, Mrs Tina Nwaokolo opined that the annual double-barrel programme has tremendous positive impact on the living standards and avowed commitment to worshiping God in truth.
‘This is my fourth consecutive participation in this annual programme. I must commend and pray that God rewards Pastor Mrs. Izagbo for not only touching lives materially but also bringing lots of soul to the service of the Almighty creator”, she added.
Also speaking at the event, Bishop Johnson Abiagom, founder of the Abiagom World Outreach Minstry noted that Haven of Refuge Foundation programme is worthy of emulation as it is a true reflection of biblical injunction of winning souls as well as providing assistance to the needy in the society.
Pastor (Mrs) Florence Izagbo
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of empowerment/relief items including rice, bread, vegetable oil, and ankara clothing materials to the widows.
A pan Nigeria group, National Awareness Forum (NAF) has asked the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to speedily terminate the oil pipelines surveillance contracts awarded to the Pipelines Infrastructures Nigeria Limited (PINL).
PINL operated by the Itsekiri monarch, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse 111, was awarded the contract for the surveillance of the oil pipelines in some parts of the Niger Delta and South-East.
The PINL was saddled by the NPPCL to watch over oil pipelines and installations in some parts of Rivers and Imo State.
The contract was valued at unspecified billions of naira annually.
The NAF, in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, said its statement was in reaction to the alarm raised by the management of NNPCL that 112 cases of crude oil theft were recorded between December 23rd and 29th, 2023.
The group accused the management and officials of PINL of conniving with unsrupulous oil barons to sabotage the nation’s economy, adding that the private security outfit in collaboration with criminals was behind the crude oil theft.
NAF, in the statement signed by its President, Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Abdullahi and Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ikechukwu Ngonzi, lamented that the scenes of the 112 illicit oil deals were under the surveillance of PINL.
Arguing that PINL has failed woefully to deliver in view of the latest development, the body requested the Presidency to prevail on the board and management of NNPCL to revoke the the contract for breach of agreement.
NAF stressed that the outcome of its preliminary findings in the wake of the alarm raised by NNPCL in the aftermath of the 112 cases oil theft revealed that the unsavoury actions took place majorly in the areas under the contractual agreement with PINL in Rivers and Imo states.
In reviewing the PINL’s handling of the surveillance pipelines contract, the body noted that the Trans- Forcados pipelines in Delta state, suffered the same fate of incessant attacks by oil thieves when it was under the protection of the private security company.
The NAF stated that the Trans-Forcados pipelines began to experience peace when it was taken away from PINL and given to another private security company to manage.
The NAF said PINL was not dutifully and painstakingly executing the contracts, adding that while other private security outfits hired men to keep the vigil over the pipelines, the PINL abandoned its responsibility as enshrined in the contracts, for pecuniary gains.
Stating that the management of PINL was just pocketing billions of naira annually “for doing nothing”, the group said there was no wisdom in retaining the PINL for the job.
According to the group, “There is no wisdom in NNPCL retaining the Pipelines Infrastructures Nigeria Limited for surveillance contracts again because the private security provider has failed the country. The large chunk of the recent 112 cases of oil theft reported by NNPCL in the Niger Delta and South-East took place in the areas under the surveillance of PINL.”
“That was how the Trans-Forcados pipelines in Delta state was being constantly and regularly vandalised with crude oil being steadily stolen from it when it was under the guidance of the Pipelines Infrastructures Nigeria Limited. The Trans-Forcados has since being at peace after it was taken away from PINL and given to another private security company to manage.”
“All surveillance contract be taken away from PINL for failure to deliver. The company is just pocketing huge billions of naira annually for doing nothing while the nation’s economy bleeds.
“We call on the Presidency to do the needful because those collaborating with the illicit oil barons to steal the nation’s oil wealth cannot still be patronised to watch over the same installations and facilities they are sabotaging,” the group added.
Contrary to claims by the itsekiri people that the Agbarha Urhobo are tenants to the Olu of Warri, the Agbarha Warri Urhobo people have vehemently restated that they are the owners of Warri metropolis from time immemorial with several documentary evidence reinforced by several commissions of enquiries such as Hon Justice Nnemeka Agu, Hon Hassan Idoko and Theophilus Danjuma”s all set up to resolve the lingering Warri crisis that has spanned over 100 years.
To this end, the Agbarha Warri Urhobo have warned the Itsekiri people under the aegis of the apex Itsekiri socio-cultural organization, Movement for the Protection of Iwere Homeland, Development and History (MPIHDH) Worldwide, to desist from misforming members of the public by their fictitious claims, even though we need peace and development, we will not allow the Itsekiris to make misleading, and false claims as to the ownership of Warri which has been laid to rest with several landmark judgments and historical facts.
According to the President, Warri-Agbarha Diaspora Network, Lennox Egavoja Gold in a reaction titled “Itsekiri False Alarm on Land Revalidation by Agbarha Warri people addressed to the Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt.Hon.Sheriff Oborevwori in response to an earlier publication by the apex Itsekiri socio-cultural organization, Movement for the Protection of Iwere Homeland, Development and History (MPIHDH) Worldwide, titled “A Petition To Your Excellency To Call The Heads Of The Agbassa People In Warri To Order And To Immediately Jettison, And Abandon Their Dangerous Plans To Subject Property Owners To A Purported Revalidation Of Title Documents For Lands Situate In The Area As Condition Precedent For Citizens To Continue To Exercise Their Fundamental Right To Freely Acquire Immovable Property, Have Peaceful Possession And Quiet Enjoyment Of Same Contrary To The Provisions Of The 1999 CONSTITUTION AND THE LAND USE ACT, 1978” .
The Statement added that the Agbarha Warri Urhobo people cannot revalidate what is theirs as they remain the owners of Warri from time immemorial and strongly advised against any move to trigger another ethic crisis on the foundation of lies and distorted facts for personal gains.
“The Itsekiris referred to Agbassa (which is the ascetral headquarters of Agbarha Warri Kingdom) as Obomale, meaning Juju town. However, the question we should ask ourselves, is it not the Agbassa people that owns the Juju.And this town is in the heart of Warri metropolis. The case between Ometan vs Dore Numa in suit No W/41/57 and W/121/57 was a case between Ometan for himself and on behalf of Otovwodo (Agbassa community) vs Dore Numa and others. The judgement of the above case does not extend or affect the other sub clans of Igbudu, Edjeba, Ogunu, Okurode, Ukpokiti and Oteghele.Moreover these are questionable judgements,when you put into account the influence of Chief Dore Numa during the colonial period”.(Chief Dore was a political agent to the British government and his from Benin River)
Warri Map
“However we challenge the Itsekiri people to publish the content or paragraph of the judgment of the court that made the Agbarha Warri Kingdom a customary tenant to the Olu of Warri”.
“We want to repeat the fact that the Olu”s continued claim that Warri belongs to him and Itsekiri people is a blatant falsehood and that the issue as to the false claims of the ownership of Warri by the Olu was completely laid to rest in suit No. W/48/68, in the Warri High court which was between the Olu of Warri for himself and on behalf of the entire Itsekiri people, the Itsekiri communal land Trustee and the Ogitsi family represented by D O. Idundun, and others as plaintiff against Chief Daniel Okumagba representing the people of Okere Urhobo clan as defendants which was decided in favour of the people of Okere – Urhobo clan and an appeal by the Olu and Itsekiri people, the supreme Court confirmed the decision of the Warri High court in its entirety in favour of Okere-Urhobo people in which the court found amongst others as follows”.
The Learned trial Judge held “A point which plaintiff and their counsel have tried to urge on this court is that because the land in dispute is in Warri and so in Warri Division, the Olu of Warri, has rights of overlordship over all lands in the Warri Division. The whole argument or view is erroneous. The Olu by his title, is Olu of Warri, but his rights of overlordship relate only to lands of Itsekiri people and even then, there is ground for saying that it does not relate to the lands of all Itsekiri people”
“Ginuwa 1 expedition from Benin ended at IJALA and does not extend to the Warri metropolis W/48/68 and Supreme Court 309/74”.
“Even,the so-called Olu palace belonged to the Ighogbadu, Oki and Olodi families of the Okere-Urhobo kingdom .We challenge the Itsekiri people to mention any prominent Itsekiri leader (dead or Alive) that can trace his or her ancestry to Warri metropolis. The answer is none.! But Agbarha people will do. The land belongs to us, so we are not going to REVALIDATE what belongs to us”.
“Furthermore, the Idoko white paper report, which is widely recognized, provides valuable insights into the historical and cultural background of the region. This report can serve as a point of reference for understanding the complexities of land ownership and community”.
“It is worthy of questioning whether the notion of ownership should be the focal point of our conversations. Instead,let us focus on fostering unity, collaboration,and peace that will bring unprecedented development to Warri the Oil City, that was once riddled by ethnic crisis”.
The people of Otor-Igho (formerly known as Otibio) of Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State have observed their annual praise and prayer day for the year, 2024.
The event, themed “Divine Intervention Through Praises and Prayers”, which has become a yearly program for almost a decade now, took place at the Otor-lgho market square.
The sons and daughters of the land came out in their numbers to worship, praise and thank God for seeing them through 2023 successfully, and also prayed for the peace, unity and progress of Otor-igho for the year, 2024 and beyond.
Speaking at the event, the guest speaker, Ven. ROD Oziwhele, the Presiding Vicar of Anglican Church Emede took his text from 2nd Chronicles chapter 20, emphasizing the power in the praise.
He stressed that humans must at all times in their lives, irrespective of challenges they were passing through learn to praise God. Added that “only the living can praise God, for a living dog is better than a dead lion”.
While leading Otor-Igho people to pray for the land, its leaders, the body of Christ, the government and people of Delta state as well as the sick and those that were wrongly accused, Ven. Oziwhele noted that “God loves to be praised and what praises can do is beyond human understanding and praise to God is prophetic”.
Responding to questions from pressmen, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Isoko-North Local Government Area chairman and an Elder in Living Faith Church Ozoro, Prince Godwin Ogorugba expressed optimism about the new year stating that 2024 holds better things for the people of Otor-Igho.
Ogorugba disclosed his people’s readiness and commitment for continuous support for the Delta State Government to benefit Otor-Igho land. “we will continue to support the Delta State government to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people”. He assured.
The new President General (P-G) of Otor-Igho community, Mr. Joseph Emamegho who was represented by the Secretary at the event, showed gratitude to God for all he has done.
The highlight of the event was the attraction of a renowned Niger-Delta Gospel Music Artist, Evangelist Amos Ighaka, who led the praise session with wonderful spirit lifting songs which made the people danced vigorously to the redition round the market square.
The next praise and prayer day is expected to hold first week of January, 2025.
The history of university education in Nigeria began with the Elliot commission of 1943, which then lead to the establishment of the University College, Ibadan – which was at as at the time of its establishment an affiliate of the University of London – in 1948.
The UCI, as it was known for short, suffered a number of problems in its early years, not least among them were poor staffing, low enrolment, high dropout rate, and inadequate funding. In 1959, another commission, the Ashby commission, was set up by the federal government to advise it on the needs of the higher education sector in the country.
The following year, however, the eastern region would establish it’s own university – The University of Nigeria, Nsukka – at Nsukka. Two years later, in 1962, the Western region and Northern region would follow suit by establishing the University of Ife, which would later become Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, respectively.
The federal government would also create the University of Lagos, as well as make the University College, Ibadan, a full-fledged university, in the same year. Thus, the UCI and the University of Lagos became the country’s first federal universities. The other universities, however, remained regional. In 1970, the Midwestern region joined the Northern, Eastern, and Western regoin in owning a university of its own, as it established the University of Benin.
Thus, the first set of Nigeria’s universities, popularly called the first generation universities, were born. Seven more universities were established by the federal government during the period of the Third National Development Plan (1975-1980). They were the Universities of Port-Harcourt, Calabar, Jos, Ilorin, Maiduguri, Sokoto, and Ado Bayero University, Kano. These Universities became Nigeria’s second generation universities.
The federal government would also take over the four regional universities in 1975. 1980-1990 saw the establishment of Nigeria’s third generation universities in Owerri, Makurdi, Yola, Akure, and Bauchi. State universities were also created in Lagos, Imo, Ondo, Oyo, Cross-River and Akwa-Ibom. More federal universities, state universities, and the National Open University – all termed Nigeria’s fourth generation universities – were established from 1991 till date.
Conclusion
University education in Nigeria has come a long way since the early 1940s. From having just 5 universities during the early years of independence, Nigeria now has over 80 government-owned universities and over 60 private institutes of higher education. The worry now is not the number of universities in the country, but the standard of education. While there remains a cry to establish more universities, as the number of students sitting for JAMB examinations grows year by year, and the universities currently on ground cannot accommodate all who are qualified for admission, there is also a louder cry to see the education system improve, as creating more universities while ignoring the education system itself would see the current situation worsen. We hope this article has been helpful. Let us know.
