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SANWO-OLU: EDUCATION OCCUPIES PROMINENT PLACE IN THEMES AGENDA

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As LASU Partners US-based Cornell University for Post Graduate Professional Certificate Programmes

Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reiterated his government’s commitment to quality and affordable education in the State, declaring that education occupies a prominent place in the six-pillar development agenda of this administration, tagged T.H.E.M.E.S.

He said his administration is cognisant of the fact that the Greater Lagos Dream can only be achieved through substantial investment in human capital development, innovation and creativity, entrepreneurship skills development, and public finance management.

Speaking on Thursday during the launch of the collaboration between Lagos State University and Cornell University, New York, United States for Post Graduate Professional Certificate Programmes, Governor Sanwo-Olu said his administration will do everything possible to uphold the outstanding reputation of the State-owned Lagos State University (LASU) to make it one of the 10 best universities in the world.

He said the establishment of the LASU/ Cornell University Post Graduate Professional Certificate Programmes will give students from the State the opportunity to gain global skills that will make them relevant, employable, and globally competitive.

Governor Sanwo-Olu assured the partners from Cornell University that this administration will respect all agreements under the partnership between the university and LASU, adding that Lagos State Government will do everything possible to uphold the outstanding reputation of both institutions.

He said: “It is an exciting day for us in Lagos State and in LASU because today marks the beginning of an extraordinary partnership that will lead to the transformation of lives, the positive redirection of professional trajectories and the birth of innovative entrepreneurs who will fulfill their potential and make a mark on the global scene.

“Our collaboration with Cornell University further reflects our commitment to the provision of quality and sustainable education that meets the educational needs of the citizenry and also acts as a catalyst for individual growth and rapid socio-economic development.

“Education occupies a prominent place in the Six-Pillar Development Agenda of this administration (T.H.E.M.E.S), and our educational policies are greatly influenced by the National Policy on Education for sustainable growth and individual development. We are cognizant of the fact that our Greater Lagos Dream can only be achieved through substantial investment in human capital development, innovation and creativity, entrepreneurship skills development, and public finance management.

As we build a 21st Century Economy, we must continue to ensure that our schools produce students who are truly prepared for the future. The establishment of the LASU/ Cornell University Post Graduate Professional Certificate Programmes will give our students the opportunity to gain global skills that will make them relevant, employable, and globally competitive.”

Stressing the need for the partnership between the two institutions for Post Graduate Professional Certificate Programmes, Governor Sanwo-Olu said: “We made the decision to collaborate with Cornell University, a private Ivy League Institution because it is renowned for innovative excellence, entrepreneurship skills development, exceptional research practice and human resource development: key attributes that are required to sustain LASU’s pedigree and high academic profile as the second best university in Nigeria and one of the best 600 Universities in the world (Times Higher Education Impact Ranking Year 2020 and Year 2021 Emerging Economies University Ranking).

“I am confident that our reputable partners and visitors to this great University will continue to play the leadership role needed to reposition LASU, increase its present rating, and make it a University of Choice in the whole of Africa.

“Through this collaboration with Cornell University, we will, in record time, produce professionals needed to develop our State and Nation in different areas of human endeavors such as leadership, management, human resources development, data science and statistics, financial management, and entrepreneurship skills development.

“I assure our partners from Cornell University that this Administration will respect all agreements under this partnership, and we will do everything possible to uphold the outstanding reputation of both institutions. Our goal is to make LASU one of the 10 best universities in the world by the next ranking.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the LASU /CORNELL University Post Graduate Professional Certificate Programmes will offer admission to students in diverse courses that will lead to the award of the LASU/ CORNELL Executive Professional Certificate in Entrepreneurship Skills Development, Human Resources Training and Development, Innovation and Creativity, Management Studies, Marketing, Data Science and Statistics, Leadership skills, Management, among others.

“Most of the courses being offered on this collaborative platform are online, which means prospective students do not have to expend resources on travelling to the United States for the same certificate they will be issued once they have successfully completed any course of their choice,” he said.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also commended the Special Adviser on Education, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab and his team for their creativity, passion, and commitment to moral and academic excellence in all the Lagos State owned-higher institutions.

The Governor, who also appreciated the Acting Vice Chancellor and Members of LASU Academic Community for keeping the flag flying, charged them to treat the partnership with Cornell University like a new baby that must be well nurtured and protected against any harm.

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Defence and Security

Army Has No Desire To Truncate Nigeria’s Democracy — COAS

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Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja
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The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, on Tuesday, restated the commitment of the Nigerian Army to defend the nation’s choice of government, democracy.

Addressing participants at a seminar on career planning and management organised by the Army headquarters, the COAS said the Army has no plans to truncate democracy in the country.

He charged officers of the Nigerian Army to remain above board in the discharge of their professional duties.

“Permit me to seize this opportunity to reiterate that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, particularly the Nigerian Army has come to terms with the country’s choice of democracy as the preferred system of governance,” he said during his address to officers.

“We are therefore agents of democracy and have no desire to truncate it. The Nigerian Army will continue to defend our constitution and not suspend it for whatever reason.

“It is the duty of our elected leaders to lead while the military does its job as enshrined in our constitution. Nigerian Army personnel must therefore remain professional and be above board as they discharge their constitutional duties.”

The commitment by the COAS followed the series of putsches in West and Central Africa which have experienced at least seven military takeovers in the last four years.

Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and most recently, Niger Republic — all members of the Economic Community of Western African States ( ECOWAS) — have pulled out from the regional bloc in last four years. Outside of West Africa, Chad and Sudan also experienced military coups in 2021.

 

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Defence and Security

Economic: Defence Chief Warns Coup Advocates

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Defence HQ Logo
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The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has warned against advocating for a coup due to economic hardship, emphasizing patience and the superiority of democracy.

He made this known on Thursday while speaking with journalists at the Nigerian Army 6 Division Headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, after commissioning some building projects.

General Musa urged individuals promoting military takeover to cease such statements.

The Chief of Defence Staff had earlier commissioned the newly constructed Entrance Gate and Officers Transit Accommodation at the 6 Division Headquarters.

Protests have occurred in Ogun, Oyo, Kano, Niger and some parts of the country in the last few weeks over the hardship experienced in the country as Nigerians lament food inflation, high cost of living, amongst other harsh living conditions occasioned by the removal of petrol subsidy, forex crisis, amongst others.

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Defence and Security

Security: Bill To Introduce State Police Scales Second Reading

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Federal House of Representatives
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A Constitution Amendment Bill to introduce state police has scaled second reading in the House of Representatives.

The bill, which was sponsored by 13 members of the House, enjoyed support from majority of the lawmakers in the green chamber who believed that concerns of political victimisation by state governors, should take the backseat to the current state of insecurity across the country.

Last week, President Bola Tinubu and 36 state governors considered the creation of state police as solution to the menacing security challenges like kidnapping and banditry ubiquitous in the country.

State police has been a subject of controversy since the Seventh National Assembly and has failed to make it through the amendment phase.

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had recently restated their position on state policing, as the solution to the country’s worsening security situation, lamenting that Nigeria is “almost on the road to Venezuela”.

Also, regional socio-political groups such as Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Middle Belt Forum, and the Northern Elders’ Forum, have repeatedly called for state police as solution the myriad of increasing security challenges confronting the nation.

Already, states in the South-West geopolitical zone have formed the Amotekun while their counterparts in the South-East also created state-owned security outfit Ebube Agu. The Benue Guards has also been operational in Benue State in the North Central while states like Katsina, Zamfara and other bandit-prone sub-nationals have also come up with similar state-established outfits.

However, these outfits have not been effective as anticipated as they don’t have the backing of the Federal Government or the Presidency while states continue to demand that Amotekun, Ebube Agu and others are granted license to bear assault rifles like AK-47 to confront lethal gun-toting marauders.

 

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