Court declares suspension of OSUAA NEC unconstitutional, awards ₦3m damages.

The Osun State High Court in Osogbo has ruled that the suspension of the National Executive Council (NEC) of Osun State University, Osogbo, by the Board of Trustees (BoT) is invalid. Justice M. O. Awe delivered this judgment, stating that the BoT’s actions were in violation of the association’s constitution.

The case was brought before the court by two NEC members, Basit Abubakar, who served as the General Secretary, and Tobi Oyesowo, the legal adviser. They challenged the BoT’s decision to suspend the entire NEC over allegations of gross misconduct.

In the judgment, Justice Awe not only declared the suspension of the plaintiffs as members of the UNIOSUN Alumni Association’s NEC by the BoT as ultra vires, null, and void but also issued an order to set aside the suspension. The suspension had occurred before the expiration of the plaintiffs’ tenure of office, which was set to end on May 28, 2023.

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Furthermore, the court awarded damages in the amount of three million Naira, with each plaintiff receiving 1.5 million Naira in compensation from the defendants.

In summary, the court found that the BoT’s suspension of the NEC members was unlawful due to its violation of the association’s constitution and ordered the reversal of the suspension. Additionally, damages were awarded to the plaintiffs as compensation for the harm caused by the suspension.

Osun State University Among 12 Institutions to Benefit from $15 Million Solar Energy Project

In a promising development for the Nigerian education sector, a significant initiative involving the provision of solar-powered energy has been set in motion. This ambitious project, backed by the reputable South Korean firm, Blue Mountain Energy (BME), is poised to make a lasting impact on the country’s higher education institutions.

On Thursday, October 12, 2023, the CEO of Blue Mountain Energy (BME) Korea, Mr. Jung Cookjin, and the Executive Director of SDG Youth International, Mr. Kim Ju Yong, touched down in Nigeria for a 5-day working visit. Their primary objective during this visit was to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of a select group of 12 higher education institutions earmarked to benefit from the BME-Saudi Exim Bank Solar Energy Project.

The BME-Saudi Exim Bank Solar Energy Project is part of the Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) provided by the Saudi-Exim Bank. This collaborative effort is a five-year endeavor with an impressive financial commitment of $15 million per year. It aims to bring solar energy to various sectors of Nigeria’s economy, starting with the allocation of 100KVA solar energy to the 12 higher institutions situated across the six geopolitical regions of Nigeria.

The project is poised to kick off in earnest with the pilot phase, set to commence in February 2024. During this initial stage, Osun State University, Osogbo, and the Federal University of Agriculture in Kebbi State will be the first beneficiaries. Installation of solar energy infrastructure in the remaining 10 institutions will be executed in a phased manner, spanning from February to October 2024.

Uzoh Ifeanyi, the Country Representative for Nigeria and the African Region, took the opportunity to share crucial details about the project during a press briefing in Abuja. He revealed that the second phase of this commendable endeavor will extend to public primary and secondary schools in local government areas throughout the country, starting in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.

This ambitious project is poised to bring a multitude of benefits to Nigeria. Not only will it secure a reliable energy source for the designated institutions, but it will also pave the way for the establishment of a solar power plant within the nation’s borders. This initiative is set to create employment opportunities for the nation’s youth, and it will introduce a solar engineering course into Nigerian universities, facilitating the education of future experts in solar technology.

Furthermore, the project promises to offer automatic employment prospects to graduates specializing in BME Solar Engineering. They will find opportunities not only within BME Korea but also in BME Saudi Arabia and other esteemed solar technology companies operating overseas. This commitment to fostering renewable energy infrastructure and expertise is a promising step towards a more sustainable and energy-efficient future for Nigeria.

Pensioners Collapse During Ongoing Forensic Audit in Osun State

Three pensioners participating in the ongoing forensic audit of the state government’s active and passive workers in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, collapsed at the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding. The incident occurred at approximately 12:45 p.m. as pensioners awaited the commencement of the exercise. Health workers from the State Ambulance Service swiftly intervened to revive and stabilize the collapsed pensioners. Some participants who couldn’t endure prolonged standing were seen either lying down on the floor or sitting under nearby trees outside the facility.

Dele Aina, the Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in the state, confirmed the incident and stated his intention to assess the situation and ensure adequate care for the affected pensioners. The NUP had previously urged the state government to decentralize the audit exercise for easier access by its members. The staff audit had been suspended by the state House of Assembly due to concerns about the treatment of civil servants by the consultant but was later resumed after promised adjustments were made.