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As part of drive to bridge gender gap in businesses, the United Kingdom says it is committing a $100m fund to support women-owned enterprises in Nigeria.
The UK government said the $100 million fund programme is launched through the First Bank of Nigeria to provide direct funding to women-owned enterprises.
Catriona Laing, British high commissioner to Nigeria, stated this on Wednesday at the gender and inclusion summit organised by the Policy Innovation Center, (PIC), in Abuja on Wednesday.
The summit was themed, ‘connecting the dots for a gender-inclusive society’.
Laing said the investment was part of the implementation of the UK’s three ‘Es’ projects, namely: educating girls, empowering women, and ending violence against women and girls.
“The UK has three areas focusing on gender. The three ‘Es’ included educating girls, empowering women and ending violence against women and girls,” she said.
“The UK has worked on education for decades now, particularly in northeast Nigeria where we have supported 1.4 million additional girls going to school.
“On the empowerment side, we recently launched a $100 million programme through the First bank of Nigeria which will [provide] direct funding specifically to women-owned enterprises.”
Laing further said gender rights are basic human rights and everyone is entitled to them.
She, however, said there are social, religious, and behavioural norms which are used as excuses for not making progress on gender equality.
According to Laing, the UK government is also digitising humanitarian services and cash transfers, so that women can receive money directly into their bank account which gives them more empowerment.
On her part, Mary Beth Leonard, United States ambassador to Nigeria called on the Nigerian government and international partners to prioritise streamlining policies towards closing gender parity gaps.
According to Leonard, the US government prioritises gender activities which is why it invests over $200 billion annually towards programming gender activity and equality globally.
“In Nigeria, the US mission works to promote an environment that supports women’s success and address challenges that hold women back and to empower Nigerian women to do the same,” she said.
“The upcoming 2023 elections present a critical opportunity to include more women in leadership positions in government.
“And we encourage women not only to vote on election day but also to consider running for office at all levels of government in the future elections.
“This campaign season presents an opportunity to demand candidates prioritise policies and legislations for women and girls.”
Also speaking, Osasuyi Dirisu, deputy director, PIC, explained that the organisation works in several policy areas such as financial and digital inclusion, health, human capital, gender and social policy, accountability and transparency.
“We are here at the summit and hope to institutionalise and have an opportunity for stakeholders to come together to have real conversation about gender and advanced cause to improving gender equality in Nigeria,” she said.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has given an update on Adetutu Adedokun, the Department of State Services (DSS) lady who reportedly jumped into the Lagos Lagoon.
Adedokun had on Thursday allegedly jumped into the Lagos Lagoon from Third Mainland Bridge after a heated exchange of words with her fiancé.
Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, in a statement said the lady has not been rescued from the Lagoon as claimed by some reports.
He said emergency responders had given up on a rescue mission and was now battling to recover her body from the lagoon.
Oke-Osanyintolu added that investigations had failed to produce the driver of the car that she was in prior to the unfortunate incident.
In his words: “Update on alleged suicide attempt on Third Mainland Bridge
“The body of adult female , identified as Adetutu Adedokun that was reported by eyewitnesses to have jumped into the lagoon is yet to be recovered.
“The lady is said to be a staff of the Department of State Services. Investigations have failed to produce the driver of the car that she was in prior to the unfortunate incident.
“The response team has changed from rescue to recovery and is now observing the tide and is relying on locals for any useful information. Further updates to follow.
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says 100 children under the age of five die of malnutrition in Nigeria every hour.
Nemat Hajeebhoy, UNICEF’s chief nutrition officer, said this on Thursday in Abuja at a meeting organised by the National Council on Nutrition (NCN).
Hajeebhoy said if urgent action is not taken, another 15 million children are at risk of “wasting” – a term used to describe children who get emaciated as a result of malnutrition.
“Every hour in Nigeria, almost a hundred children under the age of five die. So by the time we are done with this meeting, 300 children would have died in this country,” the nutrition officer said.
“If a child is malnourished, they are 12 times more likely to die. We know that today without urgent action, there would have been this year and next year close to 15 million children who will suffer from what we call wasting (thin children).
“This is an indicator that there is a crisis in the country and I would like to call it a nutrition emergency. There is a nutrition emergency in the country today. Nigeria is ranked number one in Africa and second in the world in the total of children malnourished.
“We have some good news, we have seen stunting come down over the years but that rate of decline is very slow. Moreover, this slow rate of decline is costing our economy 15 percent GDP loss to Nigeria.”
Also speaking, Abimbola Adesanmi, the senior special assistant to the president on nutrition, office of the vice-president, said the federal government has formulated policies to end hunger in the country.
“The NCN as the highest decision-making body for Nutrition in the country, in line with SDG 2 goal of ending hunger and all forms of malnutrition, have ensured that national indicators are aligned with global targets through national policies, strategies, and guidelines,” Adesanmi said.
“On the policy front, the National multi-sectoral plan of action for food and nutrition in Nigeria (2019-2023), National Policy on Food and Nutrition in Nigeria 2016-2025, and Agricultural Promotion Policy 2016-2020 among others have been developed by the government with technical and financial support from development partners and stakeholders in line with national development plans and the attainment of the SDGs.”
On his part, Rasaq Oyeleke, head of nutrition in the ministry of agriculture, said Nigeria would only be able to have a healthy population if the country is able to provide good nutrients.
"What is my offence? He now started beating me, to the extent that he naked me. It's Ajayi Mathew, because he asked me out and I said No"
Those were the words of a police woman, Olorunsogo Bamidele, attached to the Osun State Police Command, Ode Omu Divisional headquarters, who accused her senior Colleague, DCO ASP Ajayi Matthew, of assault, sexual harassment and other gross misconducts.
Narrating her ordeal, in a video making the rounds, Olorunsogo accused ASP Ajayi of being a sexual predator who is in the habit of using his position to sleep with junior colleagues.
The female officer also claimed he threatened to sack and blackmail her, if she fails to give in to his demands.
Olorunsogo who appeared all bruised in the video, cried for help after her senior colleague allegedly beat her at the station in the presence of her junior Colleagues and some civilians.
According to her, she managed to escape with the help of the civilians, who took her out of the station.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Ismaila Yusuf Atumeyi over his alleged involvement in cyber fraud, the Cable News has reported.
Atumeyi is the candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for the Ankpa II constituency seat of Kogi house of assembly.
The anti-graft agency, in a statement on Tuesday, said Atumeyi was arrested on Sunday alongside one Joshua Dominic, an alleged serial fraudster, in a sting operation at Queens Estate, Karsana, Gwarinpa, Abuja.
EFCC said the NNPP candidate was arrested with N326 million and $140,500 cash.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the politician and his syndicate were involved in the hacking of one of the commercial banks in which N1.4 billion was stolen.
EFCC also arrested one Abdumalik Salau Femi, a former bank employee, for allegedly supplying the inside information that facilitated the attack on the bank by the syndicate.
After his arrest, a search was conducted on his home in Morgan Estate, Ojodu where a total of $470,000 was recovered.
“The syndicate allegedly moved N887 million into the account of Fav Oil and Gas limited, from where the monies were paid to several bureau de change operators and some auto dealers for exchange into United States dollars and purchase of high-end cars,” EFCC said.
“Dominic, who has been arrested for fraud on several occasions, allegedly helped Atumeyi perfect the hacking plan through Abdumalik.
“Dominic, a self-styled investment expert and managing director of Brisk Capital Limited was arrested in May 2021 by the special fraud unit of the Nigeria Police for alleged N2 billion investment scam. He allegedly defrauded over 500 persons in a phony investment scheme.
“Two Range Rover Luxury SUVs were also recovered from the two suspects arrested in Abuja. They will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.”
One of the released victims of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway abduction, Aminat Taiwo, has narrated how her father paid N3.2m to her kidnappers before she was released alongside her friend, Tobi Orekoya, in a Punch report.
Aminat, on Monday, said her father took the ransom to the kidnappers deep in the forest, where they were held.
The victim, her friend and some other road users were kidnapped last Friday near the Sat Guru Maharaji Garden at the Ibadan end of the expressway.
The abductors contacted the families of the victims and demanded ransom ranging from N50m to N10m.
It was, however, reported that Aminat, her friend, a former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Adigun Agbaje, and a student of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Olayemi Adejare, were released on Sunday after two days in captivity.
While speaking, Aminat lamented that they were not provided with food or drinks during the period.
She also claimed that some of the victims, who could not meet up with the deadline given to pay ransom, were shot dead.
The 22-year-old graduate, who described her ordeal as horrible, said they fell into an ambush of the kidnappers on their way to attend a friend’s wedding in Ibadan.
She said, “Those kidnappers were more than 30; they covered their faces. They were putting on army and police uniforms.
“They were armed to the teeth; they had guns, swords, knives and other weapons.
“They asked us to lie down and collected all our money and phones. They collected gold chains, wristwatches, and other jewellery.
“At first, we thought they just wanted to rob us, but to our greatest surprise, after stripping us of everything we had, they asked us to start moving inside a deep forest. We walked for more than two hours inside the forest. When we got to a place, they asked us to lie down.
“We were moving in the forest for several hours; they did not give us water or food. We licked water on leaves in the forest.
“For the two days I spent with them, we did not stay too long in a place before they moved us to another place.”
Her father, Kayode Taiwo, said the family raised N800,000 from donations across the world.
He, however, said family members and friends supported him before he raised the money demanded by the kidnappers.
He said, “Some people donated N1,000, N500, N200, N400. By the time we calculated everything, it was around N800,000.
“I paid N2m as ransom for my daughter, while her friend’s parents paid N1.2m. But I was the one that handed over everything to them at the hideout.
“When I was at Toll Gate, they asked me to wait there and collect the money the mother of my daughter’s friend was bringing. They told me I should come alone that the woman could not come to where they were.”
Meanwhile, the university don said he was lucky to be alive, as a bullet fired at him by his abductors grazed his forehead.
Adigun, in a statement made on his behalf by his son, Adewale, said, “It is a new day today, and I’m happy to be alive. I was released by my kidnappers yesterday evening (Sunday) after spending two nights in the thick forests of Ogun and Oyo states.
“I was shot in the head during the abduction process. I thank God that the bullet that went through my car’s windscreen left only a skin-deep wound on my head, even though it left a gaping hole in the cap I was wearing.
“As stated earlier, my heart goes to those young female undergraduates, the young men and the middle aged person I left behind with the kidnappers. I may not be reachable now but as soon as I get medical clearance from my doctors, I will be thanking all of you personally.”
Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed that the professor had been released and was undergoing “medical intervention.”
National Industrial Court has been told how the Budget Office, a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, unlawfully withheld the salaries and entitlements of her staff, Mrs Bilikisu Okenne Sannusi, for daring to expose corrupt practices in the establishment as reported by the Sun.
In a suit marked NIC/ABJ/96/2022, the claimant, Sannusi, alleged that in the course of her service in the organisation, she discovered monumental corrupt practices perpetrated by some staff of the Federal Ministry of Finance Budget and National Planning, in the office of the Budget Office.
The claimant, who is demanding N50 million as damages, further revealed that the corrupt acts bordered on manipulation of budget proposals by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Meanwhile, Oyebiola Oyewumi has, upon agreement of counsel to parties to the suit, adjourned to December 7 and 8, 2022, for definite hearing of the case.
Also listed as defendants in the suit are the Head of Service of the Federation (1st); Director-General Budget office of the Federation (2nd); Federal Ministry of Finance Budget and National planning (3rd); AGF (4th) and Accountant General of the Federation (5th).
In her statements of fact before the court, she claimed that she reported some of the corrupt acts to the second defendant (Director–General Budget Office), being her immediate boss, but, upon discovering that the second defendant was complicit in the alleged acts, and following the aggression by him against her person, she reported same to the first and third defendants who, also, decided to thread the same path with the second defendant, leading to her name been expunged from payments vouchers and other efforts to frustrate her.
She further alleged that the second defendant, also without any justification, caused her Secret and Open Files domiciled with the Budget Office of the Federation Registry to be removed and kept in an unknown place, to frustrate her from proceeding on her retirement.
The claimant also alleged that the second defendant, in a bid to frustrate her, also instructed his allies in the Finance department to withhold and deny her due financial and maternal benefits and rights incidental to her employment and office in the Budget Office of the Federation.
She is praying the court to declare that the termination of her salaries and entitlements, prior and from November 26, 2021 till date, by the first, second, third and fifth defendants is illegal, unlawful and a gross abuse of governmental powers, and as such null and void and of no effect.
“That withholding of the Claimant’s Secret and Open Files and fringe benefits, bonuses and Christmas, Easter and Sallah gifts and all other benefits, howsoever, called incidental to her position as a staff of the Budget Office of the Federation by the second defendant is illegal, unlawful and a gross abuse of governmental powers, and as such null and void and of no effect.
“That the first defendant lacks the power to impose punishment or suspension of salary on the claimant, safe as stipulated by the public service rule, which must be adhered to as expressly stipulated, as doing otherwise amounts to a nullity.
Her counsel, Uzoma Nnona, also sought an order of court “compelling the defendants to pay the claimant all her salaries, entitlements, fringe benefits, bonuses and all benefits, however, called incidental to her position as a staff of the Budget Office of the Federation withheld by the defendants illegally and unlawfully, amounting to N2, 214, 250.00 only.
“In addition, the claimant is seeking an order of court compelling the second defendant to, forthwith, release the claimant’s secret and open file to enable her to proceed with the processing of her retirement.”
At yesterday’s proceedings, M.D. Agada announced his appearance for the second and third defendants, while Aliyu Abdulkadir appeared for the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
Oyewumi of the Abuja division of the court has equally directed that all processes relating to the case must be filed and served before the adjourned date.
...no administration had done the kind of damage the APC govt under Buhari had done to Nigeria
The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has warned that Nigeria will collapse completely if the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, is elected to govern the country.
Obaseki, who stated this in Benin on Monday, at the inauguration of Edo State Campaign Management Council of the Peoples Democratic Party, said that no administration had done the kind of damage the APC government had done to Nigeria, noting that the debt profile of the country under the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd)-led government has hit N60trn.
He said that the PDP must win the 2023 elections in order to rescue the country from the ruling APC.
Obaseki asserted: “God forbid APC comes into power, this country will break; this country will fail, it has already failed, because no government has ever done the kind of damage the APC has done to this country.
“As I speak today, the debt of this country is going to N60 trillion. When are we going to come out of it? Every day, every month, they are printing and printing money to pay salaries. When I cried out years ago, I never knew it was as bad as this. What will happen to the Naira? Only God will help us. They (APC) has destroyed the basis of this country. Electing Tinubu will lead to a total collapse of the country.
“APC is threatening the coexistence of this country, but by the grace of God, when we come into power, we will revive this country. We will make this country what it ought to be.
Obaseki, who is the Edo State Chairman of PDP Presidential Campaign Council, urged the 10-man team to ensure Atiku emerges victorious at the 2023 elections and rescue the country from APC, adding that the party must also win majority of the National Assembly seats.
“Whatever sacrifice we must make, we must make it to change the fortune of this country. This election is an essential one for us. This election is very important to us as a government because we cannot be in the opposition. Opposition is very useless,” he added.
He further urged the team to start working at the ward level to make sure everything is intact, adding that election has become scientific to an extent that it is very difficult to manipulate.
Polaris Bank says it has constituted a new board and management team.
The bank made the announcement in a statement on Friday.
This comes a day after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced the acquisition of 100 percent equity stakes in the bank by Strategic Capital Investment Limited (SCIL).
CBN said SCIL paid an upfront consideration of N50 billion to acquire 100 percent of the equity of Polaris Bank and has accepted the terms of the agreement, which include the full repayment of the sum of N1.305 trillion, being the consideration bonds injected.
Polaris Bank, in the statement, said the new board will be led by Muhammad Ahmed, the existing chairman.
It added that the board will have six non-executive directors and three executive directors.
The new board and management include: Ahmad, chairman; Abubakar Suleiman, non-executive director; Salma Mohammed, non-executive director; Adeleke Adedipe, non-executive director; Ahmed Almustapha, non-executive director; Francesco Cuzzocrea, non-executive director; Olabisi Odunowo, non-executive director.
Others are Abdullahi Mohammed (executive director), and Segun Opeke (executive director).
Polaris Bank also said Adekunle Sonola, a former executive director at Union Bank, is the new executive managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of the financial institution.
Commenting on the acquisition and board transition, Ahmad said the bank is willing to work with its core investors to improve and stabilise the firm.
“I would like to thank the outgoing board members profusely for their hard work and dedication over the last four years as we have established a strong governance structure and stabilised the bank,” he said.
“I am very pleased with the progress we have been able to make, and that we have delivered on our mandate to prepare the bank for a return to private ownership. I am personally proud to have been asked to lead the bank into an exciting new future and I look forward to working with the new board and our core investors to build on the platform we have created.”
On his part, Sonola who spoke on behalf of SCIL, said the new board would ensure that it sustains the growth of the bank.
“We are excited to participate in the next phase of growth for Polaris Bank and to have been able to recruit such an experienced and diverse board of directors we are confident can lead Polaris Bank into a new era of sustainable growth,” Sonola said.
“This is an exciting time for the Nigerian financial services industry and we are committed to building on the strong foundations that have been established by the departing board. We would like to express our thanks for their service and wish them well.
“We have mandated the incoming management to develop an innovative, but sustainable growth strategy that prioritises the needs and aspirations of our current customers.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has conferred Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service (NEAPS) on 44 prominent Nigerians.
NEAPS was set up to recognise excellence in leadership, service, or humanitarianism.
To be eligible, the recipient must be a public official or a private citizen excelling consistently in a given sphere of influence, in good character standing and must also be at the forefront of service and innovation.
The 2022 recipients include former President Goodluck Jonathan; Nyesom Wike, Rivers state governor; and Buba Marwa, chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Others are Senate President Ahmad Lawan; Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives, and the service chiefs.
Sixteen state governors were also honoured with the award. They include Yahaya Bello (Kogi); Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi); Dapo Abiodun (Ogun); Dave Umahi (Ebonyi); Babagana Zulum (Borno)and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi).
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At least six people, including three policemen, were killed when gunmen opened fire on the convoy of Johnson Suleman, General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Auchi, Edo State, on Friday.
The cleric, according to reports, was heading for the headquarters of his church when he was attacked at Water Tanker Junction, Warrake road in Auchi.
A source said the incident took place around 5pm. In a video of the incident, a bullet-ridden SUV was sighted. A male voice said, “Direct shooting”, and a woman responded, “Jesus, thank you.”
Commenting on the incident, one Hilary Ekiegini said, “Lord we are pained for the loss of lives but we still say thank you for preserving our father, your servant Johnson Suleman.”
Spokesperson of the Edo State Command, Chidi Nwanbuzor, confirmed the attack, saying, “He was returning from Benin City when hoodlums attacked him at Auchi, during the attack three police men, two drivers, a female domestic staff were killed while another domestic staff who is still missing.”
A witness of the attack on the convoy of Apostle Johnson Suleman, General Overseer, Omega Fire Ministry, has narrated how the preacher escaped the attack.
The gunmen suspected to be kidnappers had shot directly at vehicles in the convoy. A source said the attackers, who had been trailing Suleman from Benin City, opened fire around river Ole.
A source said Suleman opted not to go through Benin-Auchi road because of the bad situation of the road.
“He was returning from Benin to Auchi after a programme. He took Ifor road in Ondo State due to the bad condition of the Benin-Auchi road. The gunmen who had been trailing him opened fire on his convoy when they got to river Ole; Suleman drove the ‘front vehicle himself while two vehicles followed behind; they slowed when they got to a place that had speed breaker.
“The gunmen who thought he was in one of the back vehicles opened fire on them, and in the process killed police officers, two drivers and a lady. On hearing the gunshots, Suleiman accelerated and escaped from the scene.”
The source said when the attackers realised that they missed their target, they made U-turn and headed towards Benin but the vigilante and security team comprising police and soldiers went after them.
“When the gunmen discovered that security were after them, they hijacked a bus, killed one of the female passengers and used others as cover for escape. But one of them has been arrested.”
In a Twitter post, Shehu Sani, a former Senator, corroborated some of the things that the witness said.
“I have just spoken with Suleiman. He confirmed to me that it was an assassination attempt on his life and that some of his aides lost their lives. He also confirmed there was arrest.”
...say relief materials are diverted while they now sleep on roadside, bridges
More than five thousand victims of the flood disaster that ravaged over ten out of the 21 local government areas of Anambra state have raised alarm over dearth of drugs, food and bedding materials, according to a Daily Trust report.
The victims, who are across various internally displaced persons ((IDP) camps set up by the state government, expressed concern for their safety.
At the Rev. Fr. Joseph Memorial High School, Umueri, Umuoba Anam and Umueze Anam camps, all in Anambra’ East and those of Anambra’ West local government areas of the state it was observed that there were no officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
Governor Charles Soludo visited the camp two weeks and since then officials have stayed away.
The victims sleep in the open place, on top of bridges and middle of the roads.
In Anambra’ East and West, majority of the victims who converged on Umueze Anam Bridge and Otuocha Daily Market bridge road have been sleeping in open space for over two weeks due to absence of shelter.
At Umueze Anam bridge, residents built cubicles and makeshift beds where nursing mothers and old people pass the night.
The flood has forced traders of Otuocha Daily market to do their business along the Otuocha-Awkuzu road.
In an interview, a market woman, Mrs Nkiruka Kwalo, said, “We are not happy at all because those relief materials are being diverted and our people are dying of hunger; we also need money to go back to farm when the flood receedes.”
“Most of us sleep on the top of this bridge and so much mosquitoes and our children are exposed to all types of illness and nobody is coming to our aid,” she said.
Also, at Unity Hall Umuoba Anam, community leaders were seen battling to control little children struggling for sachets of noodles along with nursing mothers even as they complained bitterly about hunger and shelter.
President General of Umuoba Anam, Mr Omenwa Victor, told newsmen that out of 1,200 displaced persons in the camp, only 37 mattresses were provided for them.
They decried the situation where the rest sleep on the floor.
According to him, “We are managing the much we could do but the number is to much and we only have thirty seven mattress for 1,200 persons so the rest sleep on the floor. The governor visited us about a week ago and they promised to bring more as well as food and we are still waiting for them. We need food for the children and we thank those who have been coming to help us,” he added.
Buildings worth several billions of naira were submerged in the flood disaster, while about 25 persons died from the flood which wreaked many homes, businesses, churches and schools.
Several schools have been shut down by the state government.
The federal government says it is still understudying the extent of effect of the flood disaster across states.
But Soludo has challenged the federal government and lawmakers to treat the situation with expediency.
When he featured on a Channels Television programme, the governor said the country must hold a national conversation about flooding to prevent a recurrence.
“We can no longer deal with perennial flooding as an emergency. We knew it would happen. We know the next one will come. A year or two from now another massive one will come and the country must begin to prepare and ask what if it happens again, what would be our response. And that conversation must become a national conversation in the run-up to next year’s election. I think the National Assembly, the presidency must give a more forceful response, especially in the next two to three weeks when the flooding recedes,” he stated.
Two overseas students say they feel “let down” by the University of Sunderland, which they believe “should be doing more to help” after paying thousands of pounds in course fees and being unable to find anywhere to live.
Nigerian student Samson Okoro, 30, arrived in Sunderland in September and enrolled on his £13,500 Hospitality and Management course with the dream of one day returning to Nigeria to run a hotel.
But his dream is turning into a nightmare, as reported by Neil Fatkin in Sunderland Echo.
After arranging to share an apartment with a ‘friend’, he is now sleeping on the living room floor of well spirited Ken Devine, a pastor at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Sunderland, where Samson is a member.
It’s an arrangement which is set to end this weekend (October 15), potentially leaving Samson homeless.
He said: “When I arrived in the country, my friend didn’t answer her phone. She said she would send me the address, but I’ve not heard from her.
"I was originally in a Travelodge, but that ran out on Friday (October 7) after five days.
“Since then I’ve been sleeping on an inflatable lilo on Ken’s living room floor. If I don’t find somewhere soon, I’m going to have to fly back to Nigeria and I will have wasted my money.”
After his plans fell through, Samson spoke with the university about moving into student halls, but was told there was no space and to try private letting agencies.
Samson added: “I didn’t think it would be such a big problem. When I was looking at agency websites before I came over here there seemed to be lots of accommodation showing, but each time I go to an agent it looks like the websites haven’t been updated as I’m told there’s nothing available.
"There are a lot of overseas students in my situation and I can’t find anywhere to live.
"I feel let down by the university who should make sure there is enough accommodation for students.”
It’s a similar situation for fellow Nigerian student Chiomi Akachi, 29, who also arrived in the city last month to enroll on her £15,500 Data Science degree course.
Chiomi said: “I’m sleeping on the floor in a friend’s room at the moment, but this is only a temporary arrangement until Sunday (October 16), after which I have nowhere to go – I’m at breaking point.
"I looked into accommodation when I was in Nigeria. I was told that student halls had already filled up and agencies said I would need to make arrangements for accommodation in person after I arrived in Sunderland as there was documentation I needed to show and sign.
"There seemed to be a lot of available accommodation on the websites but since I’ve arrived this is just not the case.
"I know of a number of international students who are in the same situation and I really do feel the university should ensure there’s enough accommodation for these students before they arrive and enroll.
"I feel let down by the university who I feel should sort this situation out.”
Despite currently having no solution, Chioma is hopeful she will be able to remain in Sunderland and continue her studies.
She added: “I want to become a data analyst and really don’t want to have to return home. I’m hoping a solution can be found.”
Both students have been helped by pastor Ken, 70, who lives in the Chester Road area of Sunderland and who has been visiting the city’s accommodation agencies with Samson and Chiomi.
He said: “I seriously feel the university has a duty of care to these students who have paid the first installments of their course fees and need somewhere to live.
"After hearing of Samson’s plight, we initially tried to book him in for additional nights at the Travelodge, at our own expense, but we were told the rooms were full. It was the same with the Premier Inn.
"Since then, Samson has been living on my living room floor. However, I’m going to visit family this weekend and so we need to find a solution.
"He was told by the university to try back with the agencies. That’s what we have done and there’s just nothing available. Since going into the agencies, I’ve seen lots of students in this situation.”
One agency trying to help Sunderland-based Martin and Co, owned by Ken’s son-in-law, Chris Poulton.
Chris, 45, said: “The shortage of suitable and available student accommodation is unprecedented in the eight years I’ve been running the business.
"There is a serious lack of properties, and this problem isn’t going away any time soon. Normally estate agents are competing against each other but on this situation we’ve all been working together but there just aren’t enough properties.”
Chris blames the situation on student numbers and a diminishing number of properties as landlords leave the market following the Covid pandemic and has called for more cooperation between the university and accomodation providers.
He added: “There certainly could be better communication in terms of being informed in good time and of potential student numbers. It’s very difficult to react in June and July to a potential shortfall in accommodation in September.
"There’s no quick fix.”
The University of Sunderland has called the increase in overseas students a sign of its growing reputation and has stressed it provides “extensive advice” to international students before their arrival.
A university spokesman said: "Our international students make a significant contribution to the local economy, and the social and cultural diversity of the region.
"We provide extensive advice to students in advance of their arrival in the UK, including the importance of securing accommodation before travelling from their country of origin.
"This is similar to the advice we give to UK students before they come to Sunderland."
The university chiefs have also promised to do “do all they can” to help Samson, Chiomi and others find accommodation.
Two judges at the Court of Appeals on Thursday dropped terrorism charges against separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu that had been brought against him by the government.
The last of the three judges at the court was still reading their ruling.
The lead judge dismissed a seven count charge of terrorism against Kanu and discharged him, citing that a lower court had no jurisdiction to try the case and that Kanu was abducted and extraordinarily extradited to Nigeria.
This was a position the second judge agreed with.
Kanu leads the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which campaigns for the secession of a part of southeastern Nigeria where the majority belong to the Igbo ethnic group. Nigerian authorities have labelled IPOB a terrorist organisation.
He has denied charges of terrorism and knowingly broadcasting falsehoods, which are linked to social media posts he issued between 2018 and last year.
His lawyers argued that he could not receive a fair trial because he was forcefully extradited from Kenya to Nigeria. Kenya has declined to say if it played a role in Kanu's return.