NGO Condemns Police Clampdown On LASU Tuition Fee Protests

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Policemen fired shots to disperse the protesters and arrested a number of them

A non-governmental organisation, the The Human Rights Agenda Network (HRAN), has joined voices with those calling on the Lagos state government to reverse the tuition fees hike at Lagos State University (LASU)

The Coordinator of HRAN, Mrs Ijeoma Okwor, in a statement issued in Abuja said it is denying many students the opportunity of getting an education.

"We have noted with sadness that this trend is gradually denying poor students the opportunity to study and make a better life for themselves,” she said.

She also condemned the recent attack on  protesting LASU students by police officers.

"Intimidation against citizens by security officers charged with the responsibility of protecting lives and properties does not and cannot reflect a true democratic setting,” she said.

Meanwhile, Lagos State University Students’ Union (LASUSU) have vowed to keep protesting.

Nigerian Universities' Low Global Ranking Due To Poor Funding, Insecurity - Unilag VC

Poor funding and security challenges are some of the reasons why Nigerian universities perform poorly in global ranking
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The Registrar/Secretary to Council, Dr. (Mrs) Taiwo F. Ipaye; Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rahamon Bello; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Research), Prof. Babajide.

Nigerian Universities' Low Global Ranking Due To Poor Funding, Insecurity  - Unilag VC

No Nigerian university has made it into the Webometric list of top 10 universities in Africa despite being the number one economy and the most populated country in the continent.

The reason for this poor showing was recently explained by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Rahamon Bello.

Bello said the main reasons for Nigeria's poor showings in international circles include inadequate funding, insecurity amongst others.

He cited the example of UNILAG which he says spends 95% of its monthly allocation on salaries and emoluments, a situation which limits the institution's competing power.

“With these challenges, no Nigerian university will be ranked number one in Africa. Nigerian universities need financial autonomy for them to compete favourably with others from across the globe,” he said.

He however noted that the quality of Nigerian education is still high with high-performing scholars.

UNILAG will be graduating 9,729 students, 89 of whom will receive first class honours, at the institution's 2012/2013 convocation.

It will be recalled that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was on strike for the better part of 2013 over poor funding of universities while the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) is still stating its case with the Federal government.

Student Pulse only recently reported that as many as 75,000 Nigerian students  have gone to Ghana in search of qualitative education.

31 Benue Students Raped By Cultists In Two Attacks... Within 2 Weeks

Daredevil cultists struck twice and raped 31 students in two separate attacks on two higher institutions in Benue state.. within two weeks

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The cultists attacked twice within two weeks and left behind 31 rape victims

A total of thirty-one girls have fallen prey to cultists in Benue State University following the second rape-attack within the space of two weeks.

In what seems like a re-enactment of the June 25th attack that left about twenty Benue State University students raped and several others injured, another attack was launched by the cultists, who were about twelve in number.

Reports say the attackers invaded the female hostel of the College of Advanced and Professional Studies (CAPS), in Makurdi, Benue State capital, around 5am on Tuesday.

They had allegedly tied up the school's security personnel before attacking the girls.

"The armed men stormed the school and gained entrance into the school, after disarming the security men whom they tied up before carrying out their operation that lasted over one hour," a source quoted by Vanguard said.

The source added that the attackers robbed the students.

"They molested and beat up female students and made away with their cellphones, money and other valuables.

"At the end of the operation, at least 11 students sustained varying degrees of injuries while most of them were traumatised.

The story is remarkably similar to the earlier attack on female students of the Benue University attack and some people have speculated that it might be a serial rape spree by the same gang.

Interestingly However, CAPS' Sole Administrator, Dr. Tyotom Keghku, denied reports that any student was raped in the attack.

Student Pulse sources at the school insist otherwise.

Japanese Woman Divorces Husband Because Of The Movie "Frozen"

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Woman divorce husband over animated film, FROZEN

What is this world turning into?

A Japanese woman has filed for a divorce from her husband over the Disney animation, "Frozen". [Watch trailer above]

According to Japanese website,KikonshanoHakaba, otherwise known as "Gravesite of Married People" the woman claims her husband doesn't love the movie despite the incredible production put into it.

Reports say she began having second thoughts about her marriage when her husband told her he doesn't love the film. The woman then told her hubby before filing for divorce that,

 “If you can’t understand what makes this movie great, there’s something wrong with you as a human being.”

The wife is said to be a huge fan of "Frozen" which has also become a crowd favourite and beat Toy Story 3 to become the highest grossing animation film ever
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D'banj Signs Tonto Dikeh To DB Records

Guess you didn't see this coming.

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Sources have revealed to Pulse.ng that controversial Nigerian actress, Tonto Dikeh, has been signed by D'banj to his recording outfit DB Records.

The deal had previously been speculated earlier this week, after Tonto was photographed with the entire DB Records crew, in what seemed like a get-together of some sort.

Tonto who has achieved remarkable success in Nollywood over the years, had taken the leap into music production, recording, and publishing, but a majority of her songs such as 'Hi', 'Jeje', and a few more, have received negative and, for the most part, malicious feedback from the Nigerian public.

Pulse.ng also gathered that along with Tonto Dikeh, DB Records also have added 2 brothers, 2Kriss, who have inked a deal to join the record label. 2Kriss are a collaboration of two brothers with versatile musical productions ranging from Hiphop to Afro-Pop. They previously were signed onto Bigboyz Ent, but with their crossover to DB Records, their career can only get bigger.

With speculations and unconfirmed rumours circulating about the Tonto Dikeh deal, there have been mixed reactions to the move. Many are of the opinion that Tonto was not recruited for her musical dexterity, but as a PR stunt to add a certain allure and spotlight on DB Records. Also, it is public knowledge that D'banj and Tonto Dikeh are friends, and the new deal is just a step forward in what has been a good relationship.

Tonto Dikeh on paper, stands to gain a fairly good number of advantages, as she will now have unfettered access to the production abilities of 2Kriss and DeeVee, as well as the mentorship of D'banj and Kay Switch, while also benefiting from the 'musical' atmosphere that exist in organized record labels.

So what next for her? A collaboration with D'banj

Pastor Gives A Chris-Brown-Inspired Sermon On Pulpit

He shouted, "These whores ain't Loyal" and the congregation went hey wire

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Pst. Jamal Bryant shouts "These hoes ain't loyal" on the pulpit thanks to Chris Brown's hit track

playChris Brown is out of jail

Whoever said secular music stars like Chris Brown weren't good enough to drive a gospel point in church? Well, for one African-American pastor, "Loyal" by Breezy was all he needed to get his congregation understand his message.

Pastor Jamal Bryant of the Empowerment Temple in Baltimore, Maryland had to scream,"These H*es ain't Loyal", borrowing a very sensitive line from Brown's 2014 biggest hit to drive home his vision.

Are you asking yourself, how did the crowd react to that line? Well take a look to find out... but then, do you think the Pastor shouldn't have said that? Send us your thoughts below
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Nigeria military denies muzzling the media

Defence spokesman Major-General Chris Olukolade

Nigeria’s military on Friday said they had begun searching vehicles carrying newspapers and newsprint because of security concerns, denying the move was an effort to muzzle media critics.

Defence spokesman Chris Olukolade said the search “followed intelligence report(s) indicating movement of materials with grave security implications across the country using the channel of newsprint-related consignments”.

The country’s military has been under sustained pressure — including increasing media criticism — over its response to the Boko Haram insurgency in the country’s northeast, which has claimed thousands of lives since its inception.

Attacks by the Islamist militant group have increased in recent months, with the military apparently incapable of preventing the almost daily bloodshed exacerbated by the kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls in April.

Olukolade rejected reports the army was trying to muzzle the media and stifle free speech.

“The military appreciates and indeed respects the role of the media as an indispensable partner in the ongoing counter-insurgency operation and the overall advancement of our country’s democratic credentials,” he said.

“As such, the military will not deliberately and without cause, infringe on the freedom of the press”.

The search was a “routine security action and should not be misconstrued for any other motive”, he added.

Nigeria’s response to the abduction of the schoolgirls has been criticised as slow and lacklustre while a social media campaign has prompted greater international media scrutiny of the government’s fight against the insurgents.

Last month, defence chiefs issued a strongly worded statement criticising a May 23 New York Times report that suggested that lack of training and endemic corruption in the Nigerian military was hampering the search for the girls.

It accused the article’s author of “abysmal mediocrity, arrogance and racist sentiments”.

Reporters Without Borders ranked Nigeria 112th out of 180 countries worldwide in its 2014 Press Freedom Index.

Censorship and crackdowns have typically targeted reporters working in older media, like newspapers or television.

But the government has increasingly responded to sensitive reports published exclusively online.

UNILAG students’ protest (Pix)

Students of the University of Lagos on Friday protested a hike in tuition fee following closure of the course registration portal.

Meanwhile, the university authorities on Thursday said the registration portal is not closed.

The university’s information outlet – LagMobile, quoted the university as saying “add and delete continues to be free. No increase in late registration. Students are to remain calm.”

Students blocked entrances to the school on Friday morning, preventing vehicular movements in or outside of the campus, to protest a hike in  fees.

Their angst was directed at the alleged imposition of late course registration fee.

The protesting students claimed the management demanded N25, 000 for late registration of courses.

Meanwhile, a statement from the university authorities denied an increment in charges for late registration.

It was also silent on the shut-down, though confirmed that the forthcoming first semester examination had been shifted.

The statement, which was a reaction to the protest by students, was signed by Olawale Olasunmade, Assistant Registrar (Information), on behalf of the Head of Information Unit.

It reads, “The University of Lagos management on Thursday, June 5, 2014, took the following decisions:

·That the portal of the university remains open and available for students to access;

·Add and delete continues to be free on the university portal;

·There is no increment in the charges for late registration

·University examination has been shifted by one week (examination now starts on June 30, 2014);

·All students are enjoined to remain calm and go about their normal activities

“The university management wishes all students success in their forthcoming First Semester examination.”