PRESS STATEMENT ON THE PROPOSED BILL REQUIRING A UNIVERSITY DEGREE AS THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATION FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMEN

The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has expressed its deep concern regarding the recent passage, for second reading, of a bill by the House of Representatives that seeks to make a university degree the minimum qualification for contesting the position of Local Government Chairman. While the association recognizes the value of education in the governance process, it strongly opposes the bill, stating that it will only deepen the division between university and polytechnic education—a division NAPS has been actively working to eliminate.

NAPS highlights that stakeholders in Nigeria’s education sector have long worked to ensure parity between university and polytechnic graduates, with both institutions playing essential roles in national development. However, the passage of this bill sends a discriminatory and exclusionary message, which undermines the importance of polytechnic education and perpetuates the misconception that it is inferior to university education.

Key Concerns:
Marginalization of Polytechnic Graduates: The bill excludes millions of Nigerians who have earned Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) from polytechnics, despite their considerable technical and managerial competencies. By excluding HND holders, the bill reinforces long-standing bias against polytechnic graduates, limiting their opportunities in both employment and career advancement.

Violation of Educational Equity: Both universities and polytechnics are crucial to Nigeria’s educational system and national development. By making a university degree the only acceptable qualification, the bill disregards the federal government’s ongoing commitment to bridging the gap between HND and BSc holders, further deepening inequality in the education sector.

Contradiction of Ongoing Reforms: Recent efforts by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and other relevant agencies have been geared toward harmonizing the recognition of polytechnic and university graduates. This proposed bill undermines those efforts and erodes the progress made toward equal recognition of both academic paths.

Restriction of Leadership Opportunities: Leadership in governance is not defined solely by academic qualifications but also by experience, competence, and vision. Excluding capable individuals based on their institution type is discriminatory. Many polytechnic graduates have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills in various governmental and administrative roles.

NAPS’ Demand:
In light of these concerns, NAPS is calling on the National Assembly to reconsider the bill and amend it to include both university degrees and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) as valid qualifications for contesting the position of Local Government Chairman. Governance, NAPS asserts, should be inclusive, valuing diverse educational backgrounds, skills, and competence, rather than fostering division within the education sector.

The association emphasizes that education should remain a tool for national development, and any policy that creates unnecessary barriers to leadership based on academic qualification is regressive. NAPS remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for the equal recognition of all forms of tertiary education in Nigeria and will continue to oppose any policy that undermines this principle.

Co-Signed:

Comrade Oyewumi Festus Ayomide,
National President,
National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS)

Comrade Jimoh Ibrahim,
National PRO,
National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS)

*VINEYARD Christian Ministries Inc Set for Historic 37th Anniversary Celebration with “From Glory to Glory”

The Vineyard Christian Ministries INC, Aka “The Glorious Church”, is preparing for a momentous celebration of its 37th Anniversary alongside its annual “From Glory to Glory” program. The five-day spiritual event will take place from Wednesday, April 2nd to Sunday, April 6th, 2025, at the ministry’s international headquarters located at 34/36 Osolo Way, Off International Airport Road in Ajao Estate, Isolo, Lagos.

Archbishop John Alagbala Adebayo Osa-Oni, the presiding cleric and General Overseer, revealed in an exclusive interview that this year’s celebration will feature an extraordinary gathering of anointed ministers. “We are bringing forth men that God has powerfully used throughout the years, spiritual giants including Pastor Fred Obetoh, Rev. Toyin Kehinde, Bishop Femi Soneye, Bishop Felix Ogadeji, and numerous other mighty men of God,” the Archbishop declared with great anticipation.

The conference promises to be a transformative experience, with Archbishop John Alagbala Adebayo Osa-Oni emphasizing that attendees should expect “Raw manifestations of God through miracles, prophetic words, and anointed praise.” He further explained that while celebrating the ministry’s anniversary remains central, the event primarily serves as a special thanksgiving to God for His faithfulness throughout these 37 years and it’s a journey of His Grace. Reiterating that Thursday 3rd of April is billed as the date of the Anniversary as a remembrance where the ministry was given birth to, so 3rd April will be Grace as a celebrated day of the Anniversary.

The meticulously planned program includes a Thanksgiving Service on Wednesday to commemorate God’s faithfulness, followed by a Miracles and Deliverance Night on Thursday for supernatural healings and breakthroughs. Friday will feature a Prophetic Impartation Service for destiny-changing prophecies, while Saturday is dedicated to a Praise Extravaganza with top gospel ministers. The week will culminate with a Grand Finale Service on Sunday, marking the conclusion of this spiritual journey.

Since its establishment in 1988, VINEYARD Christian Ministries Inc has grown from humble beginnings to become a multinational ministry with branches across Nigeria and several African nations. Under Archbishop John Alagbala Adebayo Osa-Oni’s visionary leadership, the ministry has significantly impacted communities through various initiatives including free skill acquisition centers, educational scholarship programs, medical outreach services, and prison ministry efforts.

As anticipation builds for this landmark event, church members and well-wishers nationwide have taken to social media to share testimonies of the ministry’s impact, using the hashtag #GloriousChurchAt37.

The church administration has made comprehensive preparations to accommodate the expected large turnout, including overflow facilities and special arrangements for out-of-town visitors, with security and traffic management plans in place to ensure a smooth experience for all attendees.

“This Anniversary represents more than a celebration – it’s a divine appointment that will redefine destinies,” Archbishop Osa-Oni affirmed, extending an open invitation to all seeking spiritual transformation. “Come expecting, for God is prepared to do something extraordinary.”

Falana’s fraud case against Zinox, others, thrown out

For the umpteenth time, the court has thrown out a case of fraud filed against the Chairman of Zinox Technologies, Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh, his wife, Chioma Ekeh and 11 others.

The latest is the dismissal of the suit by Justice Akpan Okon Ebong of the FCT High Court who struck out the case filed by Mr. Femi Falana SAN, purporting to act on a fiat donated to him by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi SAN, against the Chairman of Zinox Technologies, Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh, and 12 others.

The other defendants are Mr. Chris Eze Ozims, Oyebode Folashade, Charles Adigwe, Obilo Onuoha, Agartha Ukoha, Anya O. Anya, Femi Dosumu, Nnenna Kalu, Admas Digital Technologies Limited, Technology Distributions Limited and Zinox Technologies Limited.
In the suit No. FCT/HC/CR/985/24 filed in November 2024, Falana on behalf of his client, Benjamin Joseph, the CEO of Citadel Oracle Concept Limited, an Ibadan-based computer firm, filed charges against Ekeh, 9 other individuals and 3 companies before the Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly diverting N162,247,513.80 being payment for laptop supply contract at the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Headquarters which Technology Distribution ltd (now TD Africa), the biggest tech equipment distributor in Sub Saharan Africa supplied on behalf of Citadel in 2012.

However, in the certified true copy of the judgment dated March 20, 2025, Justice Ebong ruled as follows: “It is my conclusion based on the foregoing that this charge (No. FCT/HC/CR/985/2024, Federal Republic of Nigeria v Leo Stan Ekeh and 12 ORS) constitutes a gross abuse of court process and is liable to dismissal. I accordingly hereby dismiss it.”

Before arriving at his judgment which has put a final nail on the coffin of a case that other courts had dismissed in the past as dead on arrival, Justice Ebong had considered the outcome of previous cases and petitions filed by Mr. Joseph none of which was in his favour.
Justice Ebong said: “One intriguing aspect of this matter is that none of the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation of the nominal complainant’s (Mr. Joseph) numerous petitions has found merit in any of his allegations against the defendants. When called upon before Senchi J. (Justice Danlami Z. Senchi) to prove his said allegations to the court, he failed to turn up in court. One then wonders on what premise he wants to maintain this campaign of persecution against the defendants.”

Previous judgments on the matter had established that rather than being the culprit, Ekeh and the 12 others were actually the victims of a failed money diversion scheme plotted by Mr. Joseph and Citadel.

When contacted, one of the defendants, Mr. Chris Eze Ozims, a lawyer, said: “This ruling truly reflects our consistent position on the allegations, and it is good that we have been vindicated, once more, by a competent high court.
He asserted that the judgment of Justice Ebong was consistent with the position of the defendants and in tandem with the ruling of other judges who had earlier adjudicated on the same matter in the past.

Chief counsel to the defendants, Mr. Matthew Burkaa SAN, described the judgment as victory for integrity and the rule of law.

Court papers showed that Falana’s suit was based on the same claims which various courts had in the past dismissed as falsehood and baseless. The case arose from a contract between Citadel and Technology Distributions Limited over the supply of computers to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), a project fully funded by Technology Distributions and has no bearing whatsoever with Zinox and its promoter, Mr Leo Stan Ekeh.

It will be recalled that Mr. Joseph had lost the case and its adjunct suits at different courts in the past. In his petition to the police in 2013, it was discovered by police authorities that Mr. Joseph provided false information to the police, prompting the Inspector General of Police to charge him for false information in charge no.CR/216/16.
In another case filed by the EFCC at his instance against his partner, Princess Kama, in charge no. FCT/HC/CR/244/2018,  Honorable Justice Danlami Z. Senchi of the FCT High Court (as he then was), dismissed as false all the allegations made by Benjamin Joseph, and imposed the sum of N20 million as damages against him for false petitioning in relation to these same allegations.

Earlier court papers showed that Joseph had in his statement on oath in suit No:LD/4335/2014 in the High Court of Justice, Lagos State, dated 28 June, 2019 averred  that his company, Citadel, did not execute any contract with FIRS and that he was not aware that a contract was awarded to Citadel.
In his deposition under oath, Joseph claimed that Citadel “did not at any time execute any contract for the FIRS and neither did the 2nd defendant (Princess O. Kama) who is its agent in respect of the contract it bidded for with the FIRS deliver/release any documents to the Claimant (Citadel) indicating that the contract it bidded for or any other contract was awarded to it by the FIRS or any other body.”
However, a letter from the FIRS addressed to the chamber of Afe Babalola & Co dated 11 February 2014 (FIRS/PD/GDS/2559) and signed by one Idrissa Kogo, Head Legal Department, stated: “Contrary to your client’s claim that they knew nothing about the execution of the contract awarded to them and that they did not receive any payment for the execution of the contract, our record reveals otherwise.
“Your client instructed FIRS through a letter dated 13th December 2012 to deal with Princess O. Kama (Your client’s agent) in relation to the contract. Through three separate letters dated 20th December 2012, your client instructed FIRS to pay to the client’s account with Access Bank plc. Please note that FIRS acted in compliance with your client’s instruction and with due diligence,” the FIRS letter stated.
The FIRS letter was a response to inquiry by Afe Babalola Chamber, lawyers to Citadel Oracle Concept Ltd and its MD, Mr. Benjamin Joseph, at that time.
The current charges filed by Falana on the basis of a fiat from the Attorney General is the third in a row as Mr Joseph had earlier filed charge no.CR/469/2022, which was struck out by Honorable Justice C. O. Oba of the FCT High Court, by an order dated 8th November 2022.
Determined to push through his case, Mr Joseph  filed the same charges before Honorable Justice A. S. Adepoju of the FCT High Court, and the charges were, once  again, struck out by the Honorable Court on 19th March 2024, with Honorable Justice Adepoju holding that: “This matter was brought in dead, extinct and should be confined into the dustbin of history…I hold that the instant suit is an abuse of the process of court and it is hereby struck out accordingly.”