Groups Call on President Tinubu to Intervene in UNICAL Dentistry Crisis
The Integrity Advocacy for Development Initiative (IADI) and other allied civil society organizations have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the lingering crisis at the University of Calabar’s Faculty of Dentistry, where over 300 students face academic uncertainty due to a regulatory clash between the university and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja, the Executive Director of IADI, Comrade Christopher Ofomhi, described the situation as a “national emergency” that reflects “a damaging overlap between professional regulation and academic governance.” According to him, the crisis stems from outdated MDCN quota restrictions and a lack of synergy with the National Universities Commission (NUC), which has led to the rejection of students despite their legitimate admission. “The lives and dreams of over 300 UNICAL students are hanging in the balance. We cannot afford to look the other way,” Ofomhi said. “What is happening at UNICAL is not an isolated incident. Several Vice Chancellors across the country are grappling with similar contradictions from professional bodies.”
Comrade Ogakwu Dominic, President of the Civil Society Groups for Good Governance (CSGGG), added his voice to the call for urgent reforms, stressing that the situation is a “lingering menace that should not be ignored.” He said, “This crisis affects the lives of students who had high hopes for their future. It is disheartening that young Nigerians are subjected to such emotional and academic trauma due to inter-agency conflicts.” IADI further decried the hypocrisy of allowing mass registration of foreign-trained doctors and dentists while capping local university admissions to as few as ten students per year. “This archaic policy undermines healthcare development, denies access to qualified students, and contradicts national objectives,” Ofomhi emphasized. The group demanded the immediate recall and reintegration of the affected students, a presidential directive for a nationwide audit of similar regulatory conflicts, and reaffirmation of the NUC’s authority over academic accreditation. It warned that if no decisive action is taken, it will escalate its advocacy through peaceful protests, strategic media engagements, and legal action to ensure justice for the affected students.
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CSO Partners NAGGW, Seeks Conservation Of Natural Resources
The Integrity Advocacy for Development Initiative (IADI), has partnered with the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), as part of robust efforts to conserve and protect natural resources with the view of achieving development and eradicating poverty.
The CSO also aims to share views on the landslide achievements of NAGGW concerning salvaging land decline due to climate change and poor land management. Executive director, IADI, comrade Christopher Ofomhi, during a roundtable engagement on sustainable ecosystem management and development yesterday in Abuja, said the role that the natural resources and endowments of any nation play in the economic growth of the nation cannot be overemphasised, especially as it helps to purify the air and balance the ecosystem.
He said that the adverse effects of the ozone layer perforation on climate change which has further wrecked dire consequences on global bio-stability was a cause of grave concerns to governments world over and hence the need for this roundtable today. Speaking on the theme of the roundtable: “The Importance of Natural Resources Management in the Economic Development of Nigeria’: The role of NAGGW, he said the overall goal of this gathering is to create an avenue for NAGGW to interact with the CSOs and to project their key objectives and achievements as well as the challenges with a view to fostering future partnership with CSO’s on the propagation of its core mandate.
Fuel Scarcity: CSO Call For Immediate Sack of NNPCL MD, Mele Kyari
A foremost civil society organisation, Integrity Advocacy For Development Initiative (IADI), has demanded the immediate removal of the Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, over allegations of mismanagement, gross misconduct and lingering nationwide fuel scarcity that has caused widespread hardship and economic losses.
In a statement signed issued on Wednesday in Abuja, the Executive Director, Comrade Christopher Ofomhi, accused Kyari of discreetly discrediting the President Tinubu’s administration with his continued gross incompetence and mismanagement, while presiding over a corrupt and inefficient system that has led to the decline of the oil sector and plunged the country’s economy into further doom.
The group in a bid to further justify its rallies and calls, specifically alleged that Kyari’s leadership has been marred by failure to ensure adequate fuel supply and distribution, inability to address the decay of Nigeria’s refineries and infrastructures, lack of transparency and accountability in the management of fuel subsidies, corruption and nepotism in the award of contracts and appointments, mismanagement of the NNPCL’s finances, leading to a debt burden of over $6.1 billion and fuelling a fifth columnists agenda.
It also alleged that this same fuel scarcity strategy, was what was used prior to the 2023 general elections as an attempt to stop Bola Ahmed Tinubu from emerging as president.IADI demanded that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sack Kyari and appoint a new MD who will transparently manage the NNPCL and address the fuel crisis.The group also called for an immediate investigation into the causes of the fuel scarcity and the role of NNPCL officials, prosecution of those found culpable, a detailed and comprehensive audit of the NNPCL’s finances and operations and the implementation of reforms to ensure transparency and accountability in the oil sector.
CSOs partner NNRA to sensitise Nigerians on importance of nuclear energy
Civil Society Organisations are collaborating with the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, (NNRA) to sensitise the general public, on the positive importance of nuclear energy.
They believe it needs citizen support to ensure the implementation of policies suitable for development of nuclear energy in Nigeria.This was disclosed at a roundtable discussion by both parties in Abuja.
The Nigerian Energy challenge, has been a great problem to her development, with her population more than doubling since 1960.The current population is expected to further increase by forty percent by 2050.With the increase in population, comes an increasing demand for power supply which in turn is linked to economic growth.If the country is to experience significant growth, it must have efficient, reliable, and effective electricity supply in place .This is why Civil Society Organisations are coming together with NNRA to ensure Nigerians are acquainted with the proper knowledge on nuclear energy and its benefits, so they can key into it.
At the round table discussion, leaders in the Nigeria Nuclear Regulation Authority explained that they aim to introduce Nuclear Energy into Nigeria through help from the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission .CSOs all agreed that Nuclear Energy would prove a very crucial tool for economic growth.