UNILAG: Due process was followed in Ogundipe's removal as VC - Pro Chancellor, Wale Babalakin says

 

Wale Babalakin, pro-chancellor of the University of Lagos, has said that due process was followed in the removal of the former Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe and that anyone who is against it must have been benefitting from the alleged acts of corruption' perpetrated during Ogundipe's administration.

 

Professor Ogundipe who was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of the University in November 2017, was removed from office at a meeting of the governing council of the university, held at the National Universities Commission (NUC) in Abuja, on Wednesday, August 12.

 

Ogundipe and some members of staff of the University have faulted the process of his removal. saying due process wasn't followed. Ogundipe has since gone to court to challenge his removal.

 

However, speaking to newsmen at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, on Friday, August 14, Babalakin said the “focal minority” opposed to Ogundipe’s removal benefitted from the alleged corruption under him.

“The confusion is that most people don’t how governing council operates. There was full compliance of the law in the removal of Prof Ogundipe.

The issue has been lingering on for a long time. Series of attempt were made to reconcile but the VC was not forthcoming… a focal minority, who are benefiting from the corruption in UNILAG which has become cultural.

Due process was followed in the removal of Ogundipe. After the council committee indicted the VC, he wrote his defence in May and spoke for one hour. His sack was done in accordance with UNILAG law.

The votes were counted with each council members’ comments. Everyone voted, they didn’t just vote but they made comments and I read out all the comments.

Go and read the law, what the law said is that when a Vice Chancellor is removed and you have a complaint, you will write an appeal to the visitor. He cannot on his own, declare that he has not been removed as Ogundipe has done. He cannot on his own confront his employers. In law, he has resigned because if you challenge your employer and you are still in his employment, you have actually left.

“The weakness of Ogundipe is that his legal advisers have not done a very thorough job. There is no stalemate and there is no chaos in the university because the law would take its course. It is not in the place of the removed VC to say he has not been removed. He cannot be a judge in his own court.

“He cannot on his own declare that he has not been removed. He cannot on his own decide to confront his employer.”

 

Babalakin accused Ogundipe of looting the treasury of the institution during his administration as Vice-Chancellor.

 

“Professor Ogundipe has been looting the university and looting it recklessly, that’s the plain truth that we should not hide. There is misappropriation and there is direct looting of the university. All attempts were made to put an end to this.

The former VC spent N49 million renovating his house. Under the process, this has to be done with approval from the council, he sought no approval. To cover-up, he gave the bursar N41 million to renovate his official residence. The official residence of the bursar can be built for N41 million from scratch, this was what was spent on renovation.”

Tribunal affirms election of Duoye Diri as Bayelsa state governor

 

A three-man panel of the Bayelsa Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Saturday August 15, affirmed the election of Senator Duoye Diri as Bayelsa State Governor.

 

This ruling comes a month after the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal filed by a former aspirant of the Bayelsa governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Timi Alaibe, challenging the candidacy of Senator Diri in the November 2019 election.

 

In a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Owodunni, the tribunal held that the petition filed by mister Owei Woniwei of the Alliance for Democracy is incompetent and lacks merit.

 

The Tribunal further held that the petitioner failed to prove the allegations of the forged declaration of age and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharged certificate leveled against the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence.

 

The tribunal afterwards dismissed the petition and affirmed Diri's election.

 

Italy-based Nazz King set to release a collaboration with Yaa Pono

             

Afro-Pop musician Nazz King has announced the release of his upcoming track featuring Tema-based rapper Yaa Pono.
The new song is  Titled 'Heaven Full', and set to be released on August 15, 2020.

This comes after the 'Tonight' crooner postponed his album launch and Europe tour due to the Coronavirus epidemic.

According to Nazz King, “this happens to be one of my major features this year but due to COVID-19 we delayed dropping it.”

He said the song would be available on all digital platforms and YouTube next weekend.

“Everything is ready as far as the release is concerned. My team and I have concluded ensuring the song get out for the fans to enjoy it.

“It is beautiful vibe with Yaa Pano and I know the lovers out there are [gonna] enjoy it,” Nazz King intimated.

The musician cum actor urged fans and followers to expect more from him and other exciting major collaborations before the year ends.

Blue-eyed woman has asked to be reunited with her husband - Kwara first lady, Olufolake Abdulrasaq discloses

 

The first lady of Kwara state, Dr. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, this morning disclosed that Risikat Azeez, the Kwara woman who went viral because of her and her daughters' blue eyes, has asked to be reunited with her husband, Wasiu Omo-Dada.

 

Mrs Abdulrasaq who was one of the first to offer a helping hand to the Risikat and her children, disclosed this in an interview with TVC this morning. 

 

''A lot of people have come on board, not just myself. I think the whole of Kwara is very happy with the story and with how things are turning out for Riskat and her children. I know you are probably aware that her husband has also come out now and he has come to our office and we have had a conversation with him and Risikat herself has said she wants to be reunited with him.'' the first lady said

 

Recall that Riskiat went viral a few weeks ago after a Twitter user shared her story online. Risikat in an interview said her husband walked out on her and their daughters because of their blue-eyes.

 

The husband however granted an interview a few days ago  where he denied abandoning them because of the color of their eyes. He said he loves his wife and children and that he had no problem with the color of her eyes. According to him, things turned sour in their marriage after Risikat became ''wayward'' and wasn't ''submissive'' to him.

 

Jessica White finally split from Nick Cannon as he prepares to welcome a child with his ex Brittany Bell

 

Jessica White has finally announced her split from Nick Cannon, who is expecting a child with his ex-girlfriend, Brittany Bell.

 

The model took to Instagram on Wednesday night August 12,  to announce that she has left the relationship for good and wishes him the best as he prepares to become a father for the fourth time.

 

Sharing a semi-nude photo of herself via her Instagram page, the model wrote: 'Someone who values you, wouldn't ever put themselves in a position to lose you. I'm so blessed, I’m whole and ready to embrace a single life free from all baggage, I wish nothing but the best for @nickcannon But truly excited for the next chapter in my life.'

 

She also joked that she is ready to date actor Brad Pitt, writing: 'Someone tag Brad Pitt and let him know I'm single and momma has an abundance of pure love to give! Hahahahaha.'

 

 

The announcement comes a month after model Jessica White stunned the world with her public declaration of love for Nick Cannon after his ex Brittany Bell revealed she was pregnant with their second child together.

 

 

 "Always been the love of my life always will be. REAL love can never be broken," the model wrote on Instagram at that time. "You are me and I am you for eternity. @nickcannon you are a king always remember that sh*t."

 

 

The model has now deleted the post of her and Nick Cannon and is moving on with her life. 

 

The new addition for Nick and Brittany will be their second child as they already share a son, Golden. The actor and TV host also has twins, Moroccan and Monroe with singer Mariah Carey.

 

 

Ooni of Ife calls for the replacement of Big Brother Naija show

 

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has criticized the ongoing reality TV show, Big Brother Naija, and has called for the replacement of the show, saying it misrepresents the goodness and integrity of Nigerian youths.

 

The monarch said this while interacting with youths in his palace as part of the celebration of International Youth Day, on Wednesday, August 12.

“Nigerian youths are fond of accusing and abusing our leaders. Stop abusing them and contribute your own quota. Let’s wear our thinking caps and begin to act like the real future leaders that we are.

In the last general election, the total number of vote cast was around 27 million while over 170 million people voted during the 2019 Big Brother Naija reality show. This is a practical reality of who Nigerian youths are and where our priorities lie as Nigerians.

The funny side in all of these is that we still go to bed, have a good sleep and wake up with the hope to meet a Nigeria we didn’t create. Nigerians Youths! Nigerians Youths!! Nigerians Youths!!!

Unfortunately, every time I talk about this kind of attitude, everyone just laugh and move on. What kind of nation are we building?

When people say this country, or what kind of country is this, they are indirectly saying these people – it is the people that make a country; so what kind of Nigerian youths are we?” the monarch asked

 

He urged leaders of the National Youth Council of Nigeria to work out plans on the show, which will be called, “The Big Nigeria Reality Show”.

“The proposed show will be structured in a way that young professionals, talented individuals and others across several field of endeavour will be showcased and helped to reach their peak.

This would help the participants and also help viewers to have access to people that can be seen as role models,” the monarch said

Photos of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's nine bedroom, 16 bathroom estate 'with a stripper pole'

 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have moved into their new home in California and photos of the property show it's a massive nine bedroom, 16 bathroom estate.

 

The couple reportedly moved into the luxurious £11.1 million mansion which boasts a pool, theatre, arcade and guest house in Montecito, California, back in July. They have been living in their new home in California for six weeks now after moving from Tyler Perry's $18million LA mansion.

 

The couple is believed to have taken out a massive £7.25m mortgage on the mansion. Deeds, obtained by The Sun, show the buyers for the property took out a £7.25m mortgage to be paid back plus interest by the year 2050 - indicating they put down a deposit of £3.8m.

 

 

They will also have to pay a whopping yearly property tax of £220,000.

 

They chose the house for the sake of their son who needs a lot of space since they hardly leave the house due to their fame.

 

 

A source said: "They realised they needed a big home with a lot of space for Archie because they can rarely leave the house due to their fame, they are still quite nervous about going out and about.

 

"They have been worried about Archie as he's been inside so much during lockdown and not interacting with other children, but everyone has reassured them that they’re doing a great job.

 

"Meghan wanted somewhere with a spectacular garden and the house has a giant pool and pond for them to enjoy."

 

 

The property, which was bought in June, is located in the celebrity enclave of Montecito, Santa Barbara - about an hour north of Los Angeles - and is also home to stars such as Oprah Winfrey, Ellen Degeneres and Drew Barrymore.

 

 

The mansion has a giant swimming pool, sauna, wine cellar and a five-car garage. It also has a two bedroom guest house. Outside there is a tennis court, large manicured lawns, rose gardens, a tea house and a pond.

 

The main house includes a library, office, spa with a separate dry and wet sauna, gym, game room, arcade, theatre, wine cellar, and five-car garage.

 

 

Frank Abatemarco, a local realtor for Sotheby’s told The Sun: "This is a semi-rural neighbourhood that has everything.

 

"It’s a great place for children and families. I can’t think of a greater place for them. The schools are also exceptional."

 

Pictures from a previous listing of the huge 14,563 square foot property on five acres of land show it appears to have a stripper pole installed in its gym. It is not known if the pole has been removed.

 

According to a source, the couple say this new house is their "sanctuary".

 

 

The source said: "She has been speaking about getting an easel to sit outside and paint during quiet moments, she loves the California sunsets.

 

"Harry seems a lot more relaxed, he’s walking around the house in shorts and a t-shirt, unshaven and is friendly with the staff, they think he’s adorable.

 

"He is particularly relaxed now they have a full security team and he’s talked about how impressed he is by the team, who are former LAPD and ex-servicemen.

 

"They are still looking for a housekeeper and hope to find one when the pandemic eases up, but they do have staff who are sent out with a list for groceries."

 

Frank Abatemarco, a local realtor for Sotheby’s told The Sun: “This is a semi-rural neighbourhood that has everything.

 

"It’s a great place for children and families. "I can’t think of a greater place for them. The schools are also exceptional.”