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President Bola Ahmed Tonubu of Nigeria
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has accepted the resignation of the
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Minister of Innovation, Science and
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Technology, Jeffrey Uucha Naji, who had
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been accused of forging the degree
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certificate of the University of Nigeria
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in Suker and the certificate of
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completion of service for the one-year
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mandatory National Youth Service Corps
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NYC after he allegedly failed an exit
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course viology repeatedly at the
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university. Nigeria presidency in a
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statement made available a few minutes
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ago by the presidential spokesperson Beo
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Onuga stated that President Bola Ahmed
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Tonubu has accepted the resignation of
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Jeffrey Uchain Naraji the minister of
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innovation science and technology
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following some allegations against him.
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President Tonubu appointed Naji in
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August 2023. He resigned today in a
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letter thanking the president for
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allowing him to serve Nigeria. Naji said
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he has been a target of blackmail by
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political opponents. President Tonubu
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thanked him for his service and wished
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him well in future endeavors. Earlier
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Nigeria state controlled media NTA had
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reported that the minister of
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innovation, science and technology which
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Jeffrey Naraji has dismissed reports
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questioning his academic qualifications
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describing him as politically motivated
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attempts to tarnish his image. The
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minister has firmly defended the
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authenticity of his University of
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Nigeria insuka degree. Speaking through
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his spokesperson, Dr. Robert NGWU,
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the minister said records from UNN
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confirm he graduated in July 1985 with a
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bachelor's degree in microbiology and
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biochemistry, secondclass honors, lower
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division. He described recent reports
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denying his graduation as false,
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malicious, and politically driven,
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alleging that the controversy began
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after opposition figures took key
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positions within the university. Naji
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revealed that the Federal High Court in
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Abuja has issued protective orders
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restraining the university from
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tampering with his records and directing
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the release of his academic transcript.
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Reaffirming his focus on national
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service, the minister said no amount of
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political blackmail or media trial will
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distract him from advancing innovation
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and technology in Nigeria. He urged the
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University of Nigeria to uphold its
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motto to restore the dignity of man and
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resist being used for partisan purposes.
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In a swift reaction on Tuesday, Enugu
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state government denied sponsoring
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allegations of certificate forgery
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against the Minister of Innovation,
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Science and Technology, Chief Uuchari,
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urging him to carry his cross and Clear.
