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University Clerk Responsible For Chicago Certificate Errors – Tinubu
According to recent court documents revealed by Peoples Gazette, President Bola Tinubu has alleged that a clerk at Chicago State University is responsible for the significant irregularities found in a certificate that was reissued in his name.
The president stated that discrepancies in dates, which created differences between the certificate and his actual graduation date, were a result of errors made by the unnamed clerk.
This information was included in a statement filed on August 23 by Mr. Tinubu’s legal counsel as part of his defense before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
The court had granted Nigerian politician Mr. Tinubu until August 23 to provide an explanation as to why his academic records from CSU should not be disclosed to his political adversary, Atiku Abubakar.
Earlier this month, Mr. Abubakar sought court approval to subpoena Mr. Tinubu’s records housed at CSU. He believed that these documents would help to resolve notable discrepancies in Mr. Tinubu’s history.
This includes information available to the public, indicating that CSU admitted a female student with the name Bola Tinubu, born on March 29, 1954, during the 1970s.
The Nigerian president, while asserting he was born on March 29, 1952, has previously stated his birth year as 1954 on different occasions. Notably, he recently removed his primary and secondary education details from his records.
This decision followed the revelation that the schools he had sworn under oath to have attended during his 1999 gubernatorial run in Lagos did not exist within Nigeria.
In light of these circumstances, Mr. Abubakar sought access to records that could clarify the educational path of Mr. Tinubu.
This legal action was taken under a U.S. statute that permits the subpoena of documents within the U.S. for use as evidence in foreign courts.
The requested records are expected to shed light on the academic records Mr. Tinubu submitted to CSU as part of his admission to study accounting there.
Mr. Abubakar initiated a lawsuit to secure access to Mr. Tinubu’s school records using a U.S. statute that permits the subpoenaing of documents in the U.S. for foreign court use.
Mr. Abubakar’s argument stemmed from the notion that Mr. Tinubu had made inconsistent statements both in Nigeria and at CSU.
Notably, in response to a prior subpoena, CSU had furnished documents that contradicted Mr. Tinubu’s sworn statements in Nigeria.
Mr. Tinubu’s legal team, headed by Oluwole Afolabi and Christopher Carmichael, contended that the August 2022 subpoena, which had been issued at the behest of Nigerian lawyer Mike Enahoro-Ebah, was deemed “illegal.”
This stance was based on the argument that there were no valid justifications for the requested documents, particularly given the considerations of education privacy rights.
Nevertheless, Mr. Tinubu’s lawyers acknowledged that the documents did originate from CSU. However, they stated that an unidentified clerk had inadvertently entered an incorrect graduation date.
“Unfortunately, in responding to the illegal and invalid subpoena, CSU made several errors,” Mr Tinubu’s attorneys said. “CSU issued a new diploma for Bola A. Tinubu, but incorrectly wrote the date of graduation as June 27, 1979.”
Additionally, the legal team pointed out that alterations in authorized signatories and logos by the school, coupled with other irregularities such as variations in the fonts used on the certificate, collectively contributed to the perception of impropriety.
The lawyer said “The correct date was June 22, 1979, but that scrivener’s error – along with a change in the CSU logo, the font on the diploma, and leadership at CSU who signed the diploma created the appearance of differences between an earlier issued diploma and the one issued in response to the 2022 subpoena.”
Mr Abubakar said he filed the suit because he wanted to get the school to certify all documents relating to Mr Tinubu, some of which had been filed by the Nigerian president’s lawyers in Nigerian court as part of the ongoing election petitions proceeding.
But Mr Tinubu argued further that Mr Abubakar should be requesting the documents because Mr Tinubu’s academic records were not part of the initial litigation over the Nigerian elections.
They said the opposition leader’s argument had been focused entirely on cheating and other irregularities around the conduct of the election.
The legal team also asserted that the Nigerian court responsible for election petitions had already completed hearings on arguments, with a judgment anticipated soon.
The court is obligated to deliver a verdict by September 21, in accordance with Nigerian electoral law, which dictates that a petition’s conclusion must occur within 180 days after the election.
The presidential election took place on February 25, and Mr. Tinubu assumed the presidency on May 29.
Mr. Tinubu’s stance seemed to align with the CSU’s perspective regarding the lawsuit.
The university authorities had indicated that they would defer their compliance decision to their former student, Mr. Tinubu, on this matter.
Chicago-based attorney Angela Marie Liu, heading Mr. Abubakar’s legal team, is anticipated to submit a response to Mr. Tinubu’s assertion that the documents should not be pursued.
Mr. Tinubu’s argument is based on the premise that these documents were not involved in the Nigerian proceedings and would be considered inadmissible due to the current phase of the case.
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima has assured Nigerians of the federal government’s dedication to national security, economic transformation, and welfare of the citizens.
This was detailed in a Christmas message on Wednesday afternoon in Abuja under the signature of the Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha.
According to the Vice President, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains unwavering in its focus on these critical areas, as the country looks forward to the dawn of a new year.
ALSO READ: Tinubu Sends Hearty Christmas Greetings To Christians Worldwide
He said, “In these times of economic transformation, I want to assure you that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration remains steadfast in its commitment to improving the lives of all Nigerians.”
Vice President Shettima particularly urged the citizens to imbibe the virtues of national unity during the yuletide season.
“Nigeria’s diversity remains our greatest strength. Let us avail ourselves of the time provided by the holiday season to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood that unite us across all faiths and regions,” he said.
Senator Shettima assured Nigerians of the continued vigilance of the nation’s security forces, noting that “our brave security personnel will continue to work round the clock during this festive period to keep us safe.”
He said enhanced security measures have been put in place to protect the citizens during the holiday period.
“The relevant agencies have been mobilized to ensure your safety and comfort on all major routes,” he stated, urging travelers to remain vigilant.
VP Shettima expressed optimism about the nation’s trajectory in the coming year, saying, “I am filled with hope and optimism about Nigeria’s future. Together, we will build a more prosperous and united nation.
“To our young people, you are the backbone of our nation. The Renewed Hope administration is implementing various initiatives to create opportunities for you to thrive and contribute to Nigeria’s development,” he added.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has felicitated Christians in Osun State and beyond on the occasion of the 2024 Christmas celebration, urging them to follow Jesus Christ’s example of compassion and tolerance.
Biztellers reports that Gov Adeleke described the birth of Jesus Christ as a defining moment for mankind, in a statement in Osogbo on Tuesday.
He described the festive season as a solemn reminder of the power of love and how it can save humanity.
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While recognising unity and togetherness as an important message that Jesus Christ’s life resonates, Gov Adeleke charged Osun people, particularly Christians, to draw from the spiritual import of the celebration by sharing love and fostering harmony in communities.
In his words, “I extend my warm wishes to Christian faithful in Osun state and beyond as we mark this year’s Christmas. The birth of Jesus Christ is a manifestation of the power of love and remind us of the essence of compassion,” the Governor noted in his message.
“In the mood of celebration, I urge us to take a moment to reflect on the message of renewal that the birth of Jesus Christ signifies, promoting activities that will unite not divide, build not destroy, and bring peace not conflict.
“It is also my sincere appeal that we extend hands of kindness to the needy and the weak in the society, spreading love and generosity beyond borders. That is the essence of Christmas and it is most essential that at a time like this, no one is left to their fate.”
Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, has enjoined all Nigerian leaders to be more sensitive to the yearnings of the people for a better life.
This was contained in a 2024 Christmas Message to Nigerians issued in Lagos under the signature of the Director of Social Communications, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu.
According to the Archbishop there is an urgent need for a better enabling environment to allow businesses thrive in a bid to reduce the high rate of unemployment and the grinding poverty in the land.
He urged leaders to prioritise the welfare of citizens over personal needs in addressing the widespread hunger, poverty, joblessness, and insecurity ravaging the nation.
ALSO READ: Tinubu Sends Hearty Christmas Greetings To Christians Worldwide
In his words, “Even in the face of policies that are deemed to have positive results in the long-term, such as the removal of fuel subsidies, floating of the naira and the new tax reforms initiative, governments must ensure that the immediate welfare of people is not neglected but factored into the planning and execution of such policies. This is necessary, if the people for whom the policies are being made are not to die before the positive results begin to manifest.
“At the same time, government spending must be prudent and compassionate. In addition, it is necessary to pay more attention to the agricultural sector so that food security can be ensured for overall benefit.”
The Prelate described as very sad and depressing the recent loss of several lives of innocent Nigerians in Ibadan, Abuja, and Anambra in their quest to access food palliatives owing to pervading hunger across the country.
He considered it worrisome that many Nigerians now find it difficult to purchase necessities of life, especially during this festive season that should be a period of merriment, sharing of love, food, and other essentials, which are the hallmarks of the Christmas season.
To forestall a reoccurrence of such ugly incidents, the prelate urged governments, at both federal and state levels, as well as the legislative assemblies, to identify and quickly fix the loopholes in the polity that are responsible for the massive poverty and hardship which Nigerians are facing.
He advocated the appraisal of the nation’s existing laws and enactment and enforcement of only proactive policies that would open the business environment, attract investors, and create more jobs so that the citizens can afford their basic needs; rather than depend on palliatives that offer only temporary relief.
The prelate urged substantial investments in the agricultural sector of the economy to ensure the availability of basic foodstuffs; thereby reducing the high cost of essential food items like rice, beans, onions and grains.
“If citizens have food in their homes, people will not endanger their lives while scrambling for palliatives in the way it happened,” he noted with sadness.
While praying for the souls of those who died in the recent stampedes in parts of the country, he also commiserated with those who lost their loved ones, praying that Jesus, the Prince of Peace would bring solace to the afflicted, comfort to the grieving, and hope to the despairing.
“This special season reminds us of the profound love of God, who sent His only Son to redeem humanity. May the light of Christ illuminate our lives, dispel darkness, and fill our hearts with love, compassion, and kindness. As we gather with family and friends, let us not forget those who are less fortunate, the vulnerable and the marginalised. May our celebration be a catalyst for acts of charity, generosity, and solidarity,” he stated.
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