News
IIJ Graduates demand for Certificates
Graduates of International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) in different centres are calling on the school management to issue their original certificates.
The graduates said they enrolled and completed various programmes of the school ranging from Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Journalism, Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Public Relations and Advertising, Higher Diploma in Journalism and Diploma in Journalism.
Over a decade after completing their programmes and issuance of statements of results, original certificates have not been issued to them.
It was gathered that some of the gradutes who made attempts to further their education in other institutions have been turned down for lack of certificate while others suffers neglect in their places of work for inability to produce their original certificates.
IIJ programmes are an affiliate of University of Maiduguri and the institution is supposed to issue certificates to everyone who completed his or her programme.
But the graduates are now mobilising nationwide calling on the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the general public to prevail on the management of IIJ Abuja and its study centres Nationwide to issue their certificates from the University of Maiduguri.
You will recall that the International Institute of Journalism started as a training wing of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and subsequently announced affiliation of it’s academic activities with the University of Maiduguri for the award of Post graduate Diploma(PGD) Courses.
IIJ has over the last years derived it’s support and patronage riding on the media announcement of it’s affiliation to University of Maiduguri.
Applicants are made to believed that after a successful completion of their academic programmes in IIJ, University of Maiduguri will issue the certificates.
But decades after the last batch of certificates which were believed to have been facilitated by the then IIJ Director, Prof Agber Kwakwando between 2009-2010 the institute has stopped issuing certificates.
It was gathered that the current management of IIJ under the leadership of its Director, Dr Emman Usman Shehu, has not facilitate issuance of the certificates.
“We will like to put on record that we are not out to smear anyone either in the management team of the institute or at the NUJ. Furthermore, we are not unaware of prevailing situation in the institute itself. Staff salaries have not been paid for several months and the management seems to be reluctant about the welfare of it’s workers.
“Our demand is simple. Beyond the usual guise of using the insurgency in Borno State as it affects the socio economic and academic situations in that region as the reason for delay and non issuance of certificates, we expect more tenable response both from IIJ and NUJ respectively.
“This is an opportunity for the NUJ and the IIJ management to address this challenges because we would not stop at going to any length to achieve our goals, ” a statement issued by the gradutes through its WhatsApp group, ‘Demand For Your Certificate, ‘ reads.
The Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubaka mini visited the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Mallam Umar Dikko Umaru Radda, at the Government House in Katsina to express condolences following the passing of his beloved mother, Hajiya Safara’u Umar Bare-Bari Radda.
During the visit, Minister Abubakar, on behalf of himself, his family, the Minister of State for Defence H.E. Dr. Bello Matawalle MON and the entire staff of the Ministry of Defence, conveyed heartfelt condolences to Governor Radda, his family, and the people of Katsina State during this difficult time.
In his remarks, he prayed for Almighty Allah to forgive the deceased, grant her mercy, and bestow upon her a place in Jannatul Firdaus. He also offered prayers for the Governor and his family, asking for strength and fortitude to bear this profound loss.
The Minister was accompanied by Hon. Idris Garba Jahun, former Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, along with Hon. Abubakar Sadiq Jallo and Hon. Mas’ud A. Naruwa, members of the Katsina State House of Assembly representing Hadejia and Babura, respectively.
All political office holders who were appointed by the embattled governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara have been suspended from office by the Sole Administrator of the State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.
They were suspended from office with immediate effect, according to a statement by the Chief of Staff to the Sole Administrator, saying the decision followed powers granted the Sole Administrator by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff to Fubara were among those suspended from office.
Commissioners, chairpersons and members of boards, agencies, commissions, and parastatals, as well as all Special Advisers, Special Assistants, and Senior Special Assistants were all relieved of their appointments.
“This suspension takes effect from Wednesday, March 26, 2025. The affected officers are to hand over to the permanent secretaries in their MDAs.
“Where there may be no permanent secretary, they are to hand over to the most senior director/head of administration,” the statement read.
Ibas was sworn in as Sole Administrator on Wednesday, March 19, by President Bola Tinubu after the President declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The President also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
Ibas, who is a former Chief of Naval Staff, vowed to maintain law and order in the state.
“If the main issue is that of maintaining law and order in the state, I think for any meaningful activities to take place in Rivers State, that is the utmost task that I have,” he said to State House correspondents after the swearing-in.
He also promised to work together with other stakeholders to ensure that order is restored in the state.
Agency Report
The 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Bayero, has announced the cancellation of the Eid-el-Fitr Durbar celebration due to security concerns in the state.
Emir Bayero made this announcement while briefing newsmen at his Nasarawa Mini Palace in Kano on Wednesday night.
He said that the peaceful coexistence of the people takes precedence over the Durbar celebration.
Emir Bayero had initially planned to hold the Durbar celebration, which would have coincided with his fifth year anniversary on the throne.
He noted that respected Islamic clerics, elders, stakeholders, and his council members advised him to cancel the celebration to maintain peace.
Emir Bayero urged the people of Kano to use the Sallah celebration period to visit families and friends and to observe the festivities in a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.
He prayed for Allah’s blessings and mercy during the month of Ramadan, hoping that the people of Kano would receive forgiveness and mercy.
NAN
Badaru pays condolence visit to Katsina State governor over death of mother
Rivers: Sole administrator suspends Governor Fubara’s political appointees
Emir Bayero bows to pressure, cancels Eid-el-Fitri Durbar
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