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MoU: UNILAG set to teach Spanish language in 2023

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MoU: UNILAG set to teach Spanish language in 2023

MoU: UNILAG set to teach Spanish language in 2023

The University of Lagos says plans are at an advanced stage to begin the teaching of Spanish language in the institution in January 2023.

The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, gave the hint during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Juan Sell, on Friday in Lagos.

According to him, the MoU is the beginning of many more programmes that are springing up in the university.
He noted that with the development, the institution was moving to the space of ‘universities without borders’.

Ogundipe said that the move would also attract more foreign students and lecturers to the 60-year-old university.

He said that there were about 10 foreign students currently studying in the institution.

“As you know, presently, we teach various foreign languages in this university, such as Chinese, German, French and Russian, and now, we are introducing the study of Spanish.

“At the initial stage, it will be a short programme, but at the end of the day, we are going to run a degree programme on that. And that is why we remain the university of first choice and the nation’s pride.

“This is a cosmopolitan university and I am glad that today, we have three ambassadors who are part of the signing.

“By next yearJanuary, we shall be having voluntary lecturers from Spain, coming to Nigeria to teach our students in the area of Spanish language and I am very excited about this development.

“I also want to state that with this development, we are moving steadily to the space of universities without border,” the don said.

Ogundipe, the outgoing 12th vice chancellor of the university, said that with the development, lecturers from Mexico or Spain or any of the Spanish-speaking countries could also engage the students virtually.

He assured that the university’s virtual platform was in top shape for the purpose.

Ogundipe said that this would enable students from the university spending a year or two at the undergraduate level, to move to either Spain or Mexico, to round off the degree programme.

According to him, with this, such student will have two degree programmes or programmes in two courses.

“So, we are moving to an era where there will be no more boundaries between one university or the other, irrespective of their locations globally, and we run programmes together and even conduct examinations together.

“I believe strongly too that the number of foreign students will soon be on the increase.

I have this conviction because before now, accommodation has always been a great challenge in the institution in particular, and Lagos in general.

“This has constituted a lay back to these students, but with what is currently on ground, which in the next three months we are going to accomplish, it will change the story.

“We are about having a state -of -the -art international students’ hostel attracted to the university by Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“And by the time we open that up, definitely, it is going to attract more of these foreign students, at least in the next one year.

“They will know that this is already provided for and so, they will have nothing to fear,” Ogundipe stated.

The vice chancellor said that the university was also looking at the possibility of having discounted students’ fee for foreign students from West African countries.

On his part, Amb. Sell said that the country was already running some exchange programmes with Nigeria, basically those organised by the European Union, the Spanish Women for Africa Foundation and Learn Africa, among others.

He said that the MoU with the university would enable his country to send lecturers in Spanish language or a Chair in Spanish.

“We are first going to send a professor in Spanish that will work within the university, having signed an MoU on that in the Faculty of Arts, Department of Foreign Language and Integrated Studies.

“That will be the seed for the teaching of Spanish language here. Of course, he will start teaching that from the very moment he lands at the airport.

“This is going to bring the two countries closer together, as well as our universities. All we are striving to do is to bring people of the two nations very much closer together.

“And this is very important. Spanish is not only being owned by Spain and that is why we have the Amb. of Mexico and that of Equatorial Guinea here with me.

“Spanish is spoken all over the world by over 500 million people, across 20 nations. Some of them, just across the Atlantic, kind of your neighbours.

“And so, we want the language to be widely acceptable and learnt even here in Nigeria,” he said.

He said that the signing of the MoU coincided with the celebration of his country’s national day, which comes up on Oct. 15, noting that the two occasions were of great significance to him.
Alfredo Miranda, the Mexican Ambassador to Nigeria, expressed joy over the signing of the MoU with the university, noting that it was also his first visit to the institution.

“It is an important moment for us, I am glad to be here to be part of this auspicious occasion.

“I was invited by my colleague, the Ambassador of Spain, because as he said, Mexico has 120 million Spanish-speaking people, making it the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world.

“Having our lecturers here will open up possibilities to invite more people coming from different Latin American countries and, therefore, benefit from the various academic programmes that will be involved; not only the language, but also our culture and activities.

“It will also provide a platform that would enable them know what we are doing as a people, because the most important thing in the world right now is the fact that people across divides are now seeking to learn and benefit from each other in various aspects,” Miranda said.

MoU: UNILAG set to teach Spanish language in 2023

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DIGITAL RIGHTS: EU, ASF FRANCE SUPPORT FIGHT AGAINST CYBERBULLING IN NIGERIA

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DIGITAL RIGHTS: EU, ASF FRANCE SUPPORT FIGHT AGAINST CYBERBULLING IN NIGERIA

By: Michael Mike

Avocats Sans Frontieres (ASF) France with the support from the European Union (EU) in conjunction with the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), through it e- RIGHTS Protect has called for more strength to fight against cyberbulling and digital rights violation in Nigeria.

This was made known at the grand finale of the national inter-school digital rights competition organized by ASF under it E-RIGHTS platform last Tuesday in Abuja.
After a thorough engagement by various schools across the country, four schools from different States and zone were qualified to the final, namely Kano State, Lagos, Imo and FCT.

In the keenly contested competition, the Sonmori Senior Comprehensive High School, Ifako Ijaiye, Lagos State emerged as the winner, followed by FCT, Imo and Kano respectfully. The winner takes home the sum of one million Naira with support also from the eRights project to empower what they are doing in terms of digital literacy.

ASF France, Nigeria County Director, Angela Uwandu Uzoma, explained that, the competitions is more than celebration of talents, but celebration of courage, consciousness and commitment. She said, the occasion is not just to shaping conversation of the students, but to shaping their future.
She further said “The eRights project aims at promoting digital rights, not just for the adults, but also for the children, ensuring that the children are not left behind in this conversation. So children are themselves today participating in putting out empowering videos, messaging to discourage cyberbullying, to say no to cyberbullying because of the attendant effects and the harms that it can cause”

“The Cybercrimes Act, which was recently revised, amended particularly with Section 24, which was amended in 2024, to ensure that the government addresses some of these issues
“The government needs to do more. And we’re seeing that this Act, which ordinarily should protect citizens, to empower them to create a safe space for engagement, ensure that people are able to express themselves freely as guaranteed by the Constitution, including children” she added.

Also, the EU representative at the event, Program Manager, CSO, Human Rights and Youth, Mrs. Wynyfred Achu-Egbuson, believed that, the competition will bring to the understanding of Yong people that they have a responsibility towards not only protecting their rights but also protect the rights of other people who use the digital space.
She further said, the issues surrounding digital rights in Nigeria and other developed countries of the West is dynamic. Therefore, the issues of legislations and regulation towards digital rights is developing, the situation is dynamic and ever changing

DIGITAL RIGHTS: EU, ASF FRANCE SUPPORT FIGHT AGAINST CYBERBULLING IN NIGERIA

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Breaking News: Less Than 48 Hours After ₦100 Million Endowment, Summit University Secures Full ICAN Accreditation for Accounting Programme

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Breaking News: Less Than 48 Hours After ₦100 Million Endowment, Summit University Secures Full ICAN Accreditation for Accounting Programme

By: Michael Mike

In a momentous week for Summit University, Offa, the institution has recorded a double milestone that cements its position as a rising star in Nigeria’s higher education landscape. Less than 48 hours after receiving a transformative ₦100 million endowment from the Isiaq Family Foundation (IFF) to boost accounting education, the University has secured full accreditation for its Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Accounting programme from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

This landmark accreditation follows the recommendation of the Students’ Affairs Committee and was formally approved by the Council of the Institute, having confirmed that the University met all stipulated criteria for assessment. The next accreditation visit by ICAN is scheduled for the 2027/2028 academic session.

The announcement comes as a proud validation of the University’s commitment to academic and professional excellence. It confirms that the Accounting programme at Summit University has not only achieved national benchmarks but is poised to produce graduates who are fully equipped for global relevance in the dynamic world of finance and accounting.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abiodun Musa Aibinu, praised the timing and significance of the dual developments. “This is divine alignment. The recognition by ICAN, coming so soon after the extraordinary endowment by the Isiaq Family Foundation, sends a clear message that Summit University is on the path of greatness. These back-to-back milestones reinforce our resolve to deliver top-tier education and nurture future leaders in the accounting profession.”

Earlier this week, during the 11th Triennial Conference of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria held in Abeokuta, the Isiaq Family Foundation, led by Alhaji Kola Isiaq-Balogun, announced a ₦100 million endowment continue aimed at transforming accounting education at Summit University. The endowment includes annual scholarships for students, the establishment of a Professorial Chair in Accounting, a dedicated research grant, the development of an Accounting Technology Laboratory (AccTech Lab), and awards for the best graduating students. Provisions were also made for solar-powered energy and internet connectivity to support uninterrupted digital access for learning.

The dual developments have been hailed by the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, founders of the University, as a testament to their vision of academic and moral excellence. They reflect not only the growing confidence in the University’s academic direction but also the power of collaboration between philanthropic vision and institutional ambition.

Summit University stands proud in this historic moment—propelled by a generous endowment and fortified by national accreditation—ready to shape the future of accounting education in Nigeria and beyond. As part of its unwavering commitment to producing industry- and community-fitted graduates, the University prioritises the acquisition of seven transformative skills that define its unique educational model.

These include proficiency in ICT and Artificial Intelligence, deep understanding of Financial Literacy, and the nurturing of Acadopreneurship—an innovative blend of academic excellence and entrepreneurial thinking. Students are also grounded in history, heritage, and storytelling skills, empowered with knowledge in Clean and Renewable Energy, and cultivated to become responsible Global Citizens. Through this holistic approach, Summit University is not only building capable professionals but also shaping visionary leaders for national development and global relevance.

Breaking News: Less Than 48 Hours After ₦100 Million Endowment, Summit University Secures Full ICAN Accreditation for Accounting Programme

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UNIMAID Student Drowns in Gwange River, Another Rescued

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UNIMAID Student Drowns in Gwange River, Another Rescued

By: Zagazola Makama

A tragic drowning incident has claimed the life of a University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) student, while another was rescued after they went swimming at the Gwange River Bank in Maiduguri.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on March 14, 2025, around 7:00 p.m., when two UNIMAID students, identified as Abafras Abdiel from the Department of Forestry and Silas Sule from the Department of Geology, went to the Gwange River Bank behind ECWA Church for a swim.

While diving, both students drowned in the river, prompting an emergency response. A combined rescue team, including the police, divers, and fire service personnel, was immediately mobilized to the scene.

The rescue team managed to retrieve both victims and rushed them to the State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri. While Abafras Abdiel was admitted for treatment, Silas Sule was unfortunately certified dead by doctors. His body has since been deposited at the hospital for autopsy and further investigations.

The authorities have urged students and residents to exercise caution when engaging in activities near water bodies, especially during the dry season, when river currents can be unpredictable.

UNIMAID Student Drowns in Gwange River, Another Rescued

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