They are Augustine University, Ilara, Lagos State; Chrisland University, Owode, Ogun State; Christopher University, Mowe, Ogun State; Hallmark University, Ijebu Itele, Ogun State; Kings University, Ode Omu, Osun State; Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Orode, Delta State; Mountain Top University, Ogun State, Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State and Summit University, Offa, Kwara State.
This is coming just as the minister of education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, has stated the federal government's helplessness over the decision by some private universities to charge exorbitant fees that are beyond the reach of average Nigerian students.
He stated this while briefing journalists after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting alongside the ministers of Aviation, Mr Osita Chidoka; Finance (state), Ambassador Bashir Yuguda and Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe.
Shekarau noted that, like private hospitals or nursery schools, owners of private universities were at liberty to charge fees that would give return on investment, adding that government's only worry was to ensure that the schools are of standard in terms of facilities and staffing, among others.
Observing that the saving grace was that all federal government-owned universities are tuition-free, he said, "Whatever the federal universities are charging are so minimal for some day-to-day activities: games fees, union fees and some other fees, basically, no university owned by government is charging tuition fee."
NANS Backs Jonathan Re-election
The National Association of Nigerian Students [NANS] yesterday officially endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan as their preferred candidate for the presidential election contest.
NANS national president, Comrade Tijani Shehu Usman, stated the union's position at a one-day National Students' Association rally held in Abuja.
Usman said that the student union body arrived at this conclusion when it noted that President Jonathan's government has touch more on the lives of the students and youths in all its ramifications.
'We are gladly supporting Jonathan because he is the first president ever to have released about N200 billion at a one fell swoop to the Academic Staff Union Universities [ASUU] for the overall uplifting and development of the universities.
"He similarly established no fewer than 24 new federal universities across the country. He has also set up 124 Almajiri schools for our brothers in the northern part of Nigeria.
"He has also put in place several youth employment programmes such as the YOUWIN, SURE-P, GIS – all in a bid to create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths,'' he said.
The NANS president also revealed that the student union body was already mobilizing its teeming student supporters, numbering four million, to formalise this position at a rally to be held at the Eagle Square, Abuja, next week.
He called on Nigerian students nationwide to ensure they collect their Permanent Votes Cards (PVCs), to enable them vote massively for President Jonathan at the 2015 polls.
Confers matron certificate on Obua
Meanwhile, NANS used the occasion to confer its matron certificate award on Dr Merit Gordon Obua for her motherly role and support for its activities.
In her response, Dr Obua, while appreciating the gesture, called on students to shun violence during and after the elections, and to protect their votes, as their votes will determine their future.
Posted by Vanessa Nwachukwu
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