₦airaland Forum

The House of Representatives is to recognise the exceptional academic performance of a graduate of the University of Lagos, Mr. Ayodele Dada, at its session soon, The PUNCH has learnt.

The event had been scheduled for March 22 but the House shifted it because it would not be sitting.

Dada, who studied Psychology, graduated with a 5.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average.

The feat is first in the history of the university and has been a big topic of discussion, particularly in the academic community in the country in the past weeks.

Findings show that the House views the achievement of Dada as “inspirational” and should be celebrated to encourage other students.

The PUNCH learnt that Dada would be ushered into the House to sit among members for a special recognition.

A senior legislative official told our correspondent in Abuja on Monday, “He will be ushered in and a motion will be moved to honour the young man, during which members will speak on Dada’s achievement.”

Meanwhile, the Leader of the House, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, has written to inform the lawmakers about the need to honour Dada.

A copy of the letter, which The PUNCH obtained on Monday, urged members to applaud Dada’s dedication at a time of national “despondency”.

It read in part, “In the last two weeks, Nigeria and Nigerians have been inundated with the news of the incredible performance of Mr. Ayodele Dada, a student of the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos, who set a new academic record by graduating with a 5.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average. The first time ever in the university and perhaps Nigeria’s history.

“I believe, as leaders and as a country, it is time we started celebrating our successes, particularly in a period of great national despondency that has enveloped us for years now.

“As a House, I believe we should recognise, celebrate and commend Mr. Ayodele so as to encourage him and give hope and inspiration to many others.

“To this end, I wish you join me as we suspend the House rules to invite Mr. Ayodele Dada to the floor of the House on March 22 to honour the young man and his remarkable achievement.

“His story is compelling and inspirational to the youth and he represents and mirrors the hope of our tomorrow.”

A man was grieving yesterday over the loss of his 19-month-old baby, Daniel Igba, who was snatched from him during the violence at Mile 12 on the outskirts of Lagos.

He said: “I was in the house around 10am and I saw that the people were bringing the fight to our area (across the bridge).

“So, I hurriedly entered the house and carried my baby in an attempt to escape. But they chased me. They caught me and started beating me. They axed my head and my hand.

“I was still holding the baby. As I tried to run again, I fell and they snatched the baby from me. Since that time, we have not seen our baby. His mother was in school when it happened.”

Mr. Igba was beaten and had a knife wound on his head.

As of 5pm, armoured tanks were patrolling the area. Soldiers and policemen were at strategic junctions.

Former National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, who was arrested Wednesday, by the Department of State Services, DSS, was Friday morning, released. Chief Umeh was arrested at his Aguluzigbo country home in Anambra State and taken to Abuja reportedly for questioning over his alleged sponsorship of the pro-Biafra group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Victor Umeh The party’s Deputy Secretary, Jerry Obasi, confirmed his release. Obasi however said the arrest was politically motivated by Mr. Umeh’s opponents in the forthcoming Anambra Central Senatorial re-run election.

While describing the arrest as “obnoxious and despicable”, Mr. Obasi expressed regret that the DSS had become a willing tool in the hands of politicians who use the service to intimidate political opponents. ”We condemn in strongest terms the unlawful harassment and intimidation of Chief Sir Victor Umeh, our former National Chairman who was whisked away from his house at the earliest hour of yesterday in what seemed like a commando and gang arrangements by the DSS.

“It is quite unfortunate that Nigerians, especially political stalwarts of other political parties are now branded names using government agencies like the DSS to intimidate opponents with a view to either stopping them from running for elections or to clamp down on their chances politically especially those whose chances of winning elections are obvious just as in the circumstances which Chief Umeh was arrested,” he said. “It is quite absurd and alarming that the DSS deliberately whisked Chief Umeh away in a rickety van thereby bringing his personality to odium.

“The most disappointing of them all is the obvious fact that these black movies are being acted under the watchful eye of President Muhammadu Buhari.

It is sad that security agencies under the present administration are willing tools in the hands of the highest bidder rather than concentrating on their constitutional duty of maintaining law and order. “Democracy should be civilized and not militarized unless in the circumstances where we are heading towards a police state and anarchy.”