General
Heartrending Stories of NOUN Law Students as Varsity Cancels Programme
The recent cancellation of the Law programme at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has left many final-year students grappling with despair and frustration. The abrupt termination has significant implications for students who had invested years of their lives, substantial financial resources, and personal sacrifices into their legal studies.
The Impact on Students
Ade Oludokun‘s journey to becoming a lawyer is marked by significant personal and financial struggles. After losing his job in 2017 and subsequently his business, Ade enrolled in NOUN to pursue his law degree, believing it would provide a path to a better future. Despite financial hardships, he invested over N2 million into his studies, only to face heartbreak when the university announced the cancellation of the LLB Law Programme. “I am in deep emotional pain,” Ade shared. “I invested so much, and now, just as I am nearing graduation, the programme has been terminated.”
Bertram faced life-threatening challenges during his studies, including a harrowing kidnapping in 2018. Despite enduring such traumatic experiences and disruptions, Bertram’s commitment to completing his studies was unwavering. The news of the programme’s cancellation added to his anguish. “We sought extensions and interventions from various authorities, but our appeals were disregarded. Now, we face the abrupt closure of our programme without any formal notification.”
Sadiku, who had invested in his education with support from his wife after losing his job, was nearing the end of his studies. He had completed his final project and had only six courses left. The sudden cancellation, he says, “is incredibly painful, especially knowing that the decision was made to pave the way for a new programme.”
Systemic Issues and Regulatory Challenges
The issues facing NOUN’s Law programme are rooted in systemic and regulatory challenges. Established in 2002, NOUN’s Law programme has struggled with accreditation and infrastructural issues, including lost academic records and system crashes. Despite efforts to address these challenges, students faced frequent setbacks, including retaking courses and navigating a complex accreditation landscape.
Prof. Sam Erugo (SAN) explains that the NOUN Law degree programme has long been viewed as conflicting with Nigerian regulations for legal training. Historically, graduates faced exclusion from the Nigerian Law School until a remedial year was introduced to level the playing field. This compromise was a partial solution, but it did not resolve the fundamental regulatory conflicts.
Legal Perspectives and Responses
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Isiaka Olagunju, argues that NOUN should have provided alternative options for students, especially those in their final year, such as affiliations with other universities to complete their degrees. He asserts, “The management of NOUN should be held accountable for the students’ predicament, having been aware that the part-time Law degree was not recognized.”
Prof. Sam Erugo adds that discussions about the cessation of the NOUN Law degree programme have been ongoing. He emphasizes the need for a structured approach to ensure that all legitimately enrolled students can complete their studies. “The cessation was not sudden; it was a result of long-standing discussions. Stakeholders should have ensured that steps were taken to allow affected students to graduate.”
Appeals and Next Steps
In response to the cancellation, students have formed the Concerned Law Students of the National Open University of Nigeria, advocating for intervention and reconsideration. They appeal to the government and NOUN management to grant an additional academic year or other solutions to allow students to complete their studies.
The students’ plight highlights broader issues within the Nigerian education system, including the need for clear regulations and support structures for distance learning programmes. As the situation unfolds, the focus will be on finding equitable solutions for those affected and addressing the systemic issues that led to the programme’s termination.
The battle against wildfires in Los Angeles rages on, with evacuation orders remaining in place for vast areas threatened by flames. Officials are defending their response as fire crews work tirelessly to contain the blazes and cadaver dogs search for potential victims in the aftermath.
The Palisades Fire, the largest and most destructive of the current wildfires, has grown to over 22,000 acres, an increase of 1,000 acres overnight. Containment has risen slightly to 11%, but evacuation orders remain active for communities in Brentwood and Encino, where residents are reeling from the impact.
Josh Sautter, head of the Encino Neighborhood Council, described the panic caused by the evacuations: “People were completely freaked out as the orders swept through the community.”
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Los Angeles is now dealing with four active fires, a reduction from six earlier in the week. The contained Archer, Lidia, Sunset, Woodley, and Olivas fires no longer pose a threat.
Here are the latest updates on the remaining wildfires:
- Palisades Fire:
The first fire to ignite last Tuesday, it has scorched more than 22,000 acres, including areas of the Pacific Palisades. Officials warn it could become one of the most destructive fires in California’s history. Containment is at 11%. - Eaton Fire:
Burning in the northern parts of the city, including Altadena and areas near Pasadena, this fire covers nearly 14,000 acres and is now 15% contained, a significant improvement from 3% yesterday. Evacuations have expanded to include Hastings Ranch, Sierra Madre, and Arcadia. - Hurst Fire:
North of San Fernando, this fire has burned approximately 800 acres since it began Tuesday night. Containment has reached 76%. - Kenneth Fire:
Situated on the Los Angeles-Ventura County border, this fire has scorched over 1,050 acres. Authorities report it is now 80% contained, with no structural damage reported.
In addition to the expanded evacuation zones, search-and-rescue teams are working in areas previously devastated by flames to locate any victims. The use of cadaver dogs underscores the severity of the situation.
Efforts to control the fires are ongoing, with containment lines being reinforced to prevent further spread. Officials urge residents to remain vigilant and adhere to evacuation orders for their safety.
Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has resigned following a disagreement with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over the country’s economic strategy. The announcement came just hours before she was scheduled to deliver the government’s annual fiscal update on Monday.
In her resignation letter, Freeland revealed a growing rift with Trudeau, stating they were “at odds about the best path forward for Canada.” The resignation follows Trudeau’s decision last week to remove Freeland as his government’s top economic advisor.
At the center of their dispute was a proposed policy to provide a C$250 ($175; £139) cheque to eligible Canadians, which Freeland opposed, calling it a “costly political gimmick” that Canada could not afford. She emphasized in her letter that Canada must “keep its fiscal powder dry” in light of economic challenges, including the looming threat of tariffs from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
Trump has vowed to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian imports, a move economists warn could severely impact Canada’s economy. Freeland described this as “a grave challenge” and urged the government to prepare for its potential fallout.
Freeland, a long-time ally of Trudeau within the Liberal Party, has been Canada’s finance minister since 2020, steering the nation through the economic turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. Her resignation marks the second time a finance minister has departed during Trudeau’s tenure due to policy disagreements; her predecessor, Bill Morneau, stepped down in 2020 amid a clash over spending policies and ethics concerns.
Freeland’s departure signals a major shift in Trudeau’s cabinet as the government faces mounting economic pressures.
On December 3, 2024, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, citing the need to eliminate “anti-state” forces and protect the nation’s constitutional order. This unprecedented move, reminiscent of South Korea’s authoritarian past, was met with swift opposition. The National Assembly convened promptly, with 190 out of 300 members present, and voted unanimously to lift the martial law declaration.
Following the parliamentary vote, President Yoon announced his intention to honor the legislature’s decision and lift martial law. He indicated that he attempted to assemble the cabinet to formalize this action but faced delays due to the early morning hours. President Yoon assured the public that he would proceed with lifting martial law as soon as the minimum required number of cabinet members could be gathered.
This series of events has intensified political tensions in South Korea, drawing criticism from both opposition parties and members of President Yoon’s conservative People Power Party.
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