The House of Representatives has moved to resolve the crisis affecting dentistry students at the University Of Calabar, Cross River State.

This was sequel to a adoption of a motion on Urgent Public Importance on ” Urgent Need Resolve The Crisis Affecting Dentistry Students At The University Of Calabar”, moved by the House Minority Leader Mr. Kingsley Chinda and others.

The House urged the Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), to conduct a thorough audit of the University of Calabar’s Faculty of Dentistry, including admission records, infrastructure, and staffing, with a view to ameliorating the plight of students of Dentistry in the University,

It also called on the University of Calabar to immediately halt all punitive measures affecting students, and work collaboratively with stakeholders to implement equitable remedial solutions such as, phased induction plans, catch-up modules or facilitated transfers to accredited faculties-in consultation with affected students.

The House also urged the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to consider a temporary induction framework for eligible students, based on competency and clinical exposure, while structural issues are being resolved.

While leading the debate on the motion, one the sponsors of the motion,r. Ahmed Jaha, said that the House notes with grave concern the ongoing academic crisis affecting over 300 Dentistry students at the University of Calabar, Cross River State, following the refusal of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to induct graduates from the university’s Faculty of Dentistry due to persistent over-admission beyond the Council’s approved annual quota of only ten (10) students as a result of provisional accreditation of the Faculty:

” Further Notes that this situation has resulted in a complete academic standstill, with the university authorities recently directing all students in the Faculty of Dentistry across all levels-to vacate campus indefinitely, pending a resolution of the impasse.

” Aware that the students, some in their final year of training, have invested significant time, resources, psychological and emotional energy toward earning their Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree, but now face devastating uncertainty, loss of career prospects, and psychological distress through no fault of theirs.

” Also Aware that the Vice Chancellor of the University has publicly acknowledged administrative failures in the over-enrolment process and has proposed non-consensual remedies including the redirection of students to other faculties or institutions, which many affected students strongly oppose.

” Disturbed that unless urgent and coordinated action is taken, the education and professionals aspirations of hundreds of young Nigerians will be unjustly truncated, potentially trigerving broader unrest, legal battles, and reputational damage to the Nigerian Higher Education education system,” the motion said.

The House there resolved to mandate the House Committees on Tertiary Education and Services, Health, and Youth Development to investigate the circumstances surrounding the over-enrolment, the role of university officials, and the actions taken thus far, and to report back within four [4] weeks for further legislative action.

Confidence Okwuchi

Security operatives on Tuesday stopped suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from entering the National Assembly complex, despite her claim that a court judgment had ordered her recall.

The Kogi Central lawmaker, accompanied by supporters and rights activist Aisha Yesufu, arrived at the main gate in a convoy but was denied access by security personnel. The situation led to heated exchanges between her group and security agents stationed at the entrance.

Senator Natasha, who is serving a six-month suspension by the Senate, had vowed to resume legislative duties after obtaining a judgment from the Federal High Court in Abuja, which she said invalidated her suspension.

Addressing journalists at the scene, she said she would consult her legal team and possibly approach the appellate court for clarification on the judgment.

“My suspension is wrong. The recommendation itself is faulty. I’m a law-abiding citizen. I’ll meet with my legal team and most likely proceed to the appellate court to seek interpretation,” she said.

The Senate, however, insists that no valid court order mandates her immediate recall.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, said on Sunday that the chamber remains committed to due process and warned the suspended senator against resuming before her suspension elapses.

“The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to reaffirm, for the third time, that there is no subsisting court order mandating the Senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the expiration of her suspension,” he said.

Senator Adaramodu clarified that the court ruling offered a non-binding advisory urging the Senate to review the suspension and amend its Standing Orders, but did not find the Senate in breach of the law.

He also noted that the court found Senator Natasha guilty of contempt, imposed a ₦5 million fine, and ordered her to publish a public apology — directives he said have not been complied with.

“It is legally untenable that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, while on appeal and having filed a motion for stay against valid court orders, is acting on an imaginary order of recall that does not exist,” he said.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 for alleged misconduct and refusal to comply with the Senate’s seating arrangement during a plenary on February 20. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the suspension following a majority vote by senators.

The Senate had said the suspension could be reconsidered if she submitted a written apology — a step yet to be taken.

PIAK

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Abbas Tajudeen has urged practitioners in the aviation sector to make deliberate efforts to meet up with global best practices.

He made call at the Public Hearing of the House Committee on Aviation Technology on a Bill to amend the Nigerian Meteorological Agency Establishment Act No29, 2022 and for Related Matters, in Abuja.

He described the public hearing as a reaffirmation of the House of Representatives commitment to efficiency, accountability and transparency.

The Speaker who was represented by the House Deputy Chief Whip, Mr. Ibrahim Isiaka, said that prioritization of the Citizens’ needs was imperative.

He said that the House of Representatives would continue to provide legislative support in enhancing Nigeria’s safety and economic growth.

Mr. Abbas therefore urged the relevant stakeholders and participants to make crucial contributions aimed at improving the services of NIMET .

The chairman House committee on Aviation technology, Mr. Tajudeen Abisodun, reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to improving and strengthening the services of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) for national safety.

He said that the amendment was imperative in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the country’s Meteorological Agency.

“This Bill is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of our Meteorological Agency. Which plays a vital role in ensuring the safety of lives and property, particularly in the aviation sector,” Mr. Abisodun  said.

The lawmaker also said that the proposed amendments were focused on key sections that require urgent  attention specifically to amend section 13 sub-section 2.

According to him, the amendments are designed to strengthen the agency’s capacity to provide accurate and timely weather forecasts, warnings and advisories.

Mr. Abisodun who reiterated the imperative of NIMET ‘s  quality service delivery, said that the bill would enable Pilots and air traffic controllers to access reliable and accurate weather information for informed decisions.

The sponsor of the bill, Mr. Abdulrazak Adewale,  said that aim of the Bill was to reposition NiMET for citizenry safety and economic growth.

He said that NiMET was the only agency mandated by law to give Meteorological data for national safety.

In his presentation, the Director General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Prof Charles Anosike said that the purpose of the presentation was to justify the proposed amendments.

He particularly supported the proposal for a cost recovery framework to ensure sustainable delivery of critical Meteorological services to sectors such as marine, construction and telecommunications.

The NIMET DG expressed the need for users of specialized Meteorological services to pay costs associated with the provision of such services.

He said that there were inherent gaps in the current Act that limits NIMET ‘s optimal service delivery especially in cost recovery.

“While in the current Act, (sections 7(1)(i) and 7(2) empowers NiMET to issue Meteorological information and to impose cost and sustainability recovery charges.

“There is currently no equivalent mechanism for non-aeronautical sectors, resulting in unrecovered operational costs, increased pressure on funding, poor Infrastructural development and limited service coverage.”

Mr. Anosike said that it imperative to improve the services of NIMET in line with global best services particularly cost recovery from specialized services.

Other stakeholders at the hearing threw their weight behind the amendment.

Confidence Okwuchi