Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Muslim Affairs, has called for the creation of a Sharia Court of Appeal in Southwestern Nigeria. He made the appeal while speaking at the Conference of the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta, held in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

Oloyede emphasized that the sizable Muslim population in the Southwest justifies the establishment of a Sharia Court of Appeal to address Islamic legal matters such as marriage, inheritance, and personal law, in accordance with Nigeria’s constitution.

“It is our constitutional right to have a Sharia Court of Appeal. Several states already have them, and with the growing Muslim community in the Southwest, it’s time for state assemblies to take action,” Oloyede stated. He clarified that the court would not deal with criminal law but focus solely on civil matters relating to Islamic law.

Oloyede also defended the right of Muslim students to wear hijabs, arguing that practicing Islam should not be compromised by pursuing Western education. He urged the Muslim community to preserve Islamic culture and remain united.

During the event, Sheik Jamiu Kewulere, President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas, called for unity among Muslims, while Sarafa Tunji Isola, former high commissioner to the UK, emphasized that unity would help reduce conflicts and foster societal development.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has decided to issue the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum, in line with labor laws, to address their longstanding demands. This decision was reached during ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Ibadan from August 17th to 18th, 2024.

ASUU has also instructed its branches to conduct a referendum among members to decide on the next course of action, including whether to embark on a definite or staggered strike.

The union’s key demands include:
– Renegotiation of the 2009 FG/ASUU agreement
– Payment of withheld salaries
– Implementation of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) for salary payments
– Resolution of promotion arrears
– Stopping the proliferation of universities
– Revitalization of public universities
– Payment of outstanding Earned Academic Allowance
– Addressing the victimization of union leaders
– Ensuring salary payments to members in some state universities

ASUU previously stated that the government had promised to include their demands in the 2023 budget, but this commitment was not fulfilled. The union is now poised to take further action if the government fails to meet their demands within the ultimatum period.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has officially announced the appointment of Prof. Joseph Babatola Ayodele as the new Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, effective August 20, 2024.

Prof. Ayodele, an expert in education management, will take over from Prof. Edward Olanipekun, whose term ends on August 19, 2024.

Before this role, Ayodele served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at EKSU.

Further details will be provided later.