Education
President Trump Cuts $400m In Grants To Columbia University Over Antisemitism Allegations
President Trump Cuts $400m In Grants To Columbia University Over Antisemitism Allegations
President Trump cuts $400m in grants to Columbia University over antisemitism allegations . The statement noted that the cancellation represents the first round of action.
As part of a crackdown on antisemitism and anti-Israel rhetoric, the President Donald Trump administration on Friday cancelled $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University, citing the institution’s failure to protect Jewish students against harassment in the aftermath of pro-Palestine demonstrations that spread across multiple campuses in the U.S. last year.
“Today, the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Education (ED), and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced the immediate cancellation of approximately $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University due to the school’s continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students,” four government agencies said in a joint statement.
Columbia University has been subject to heavy criticism from people on the right wing and pro-Israel voices after protests broke out at the institution last year over the ongoing war in Gaza.
The demonstrations set off a chain of days-long protests across other universities in the United States, with some schools needing to call law enforcement to remove demonstrators’ encampments on campuses.
The Trump administration has now decided to cut off $400 million from the university’s federal funding, with Secretary of Education Linda McMahon saying that “Since October 7, Jewish students have faced relentless violence, intimidation, and anti-Semitic harassment on their campuses – only to be ignored by those who are supposed to protect them.”
President Trump
The statement noted that the cancellation represents the first round of action, adding that another set of cancellations is expected soon as a task force is currently reviewing and coordinating across federal agencies to identify more cancellations that could be made swiftly.
“Universities must comply with all federal antidiscrimination laws if they are going to receive federal funding. For too long, Columbia has abandoned that obligation to Jewish students studying on its campus.
Today, we demonstrate to Columbia and other universities that we will not tolerate their appalling inaction any longer,” Ms McMahon added.
NNPC, SNEPCo, NCDMB Donate Geosciences Centre To UNILAG
NNPC Limited, in partnership with Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), and the University of Lagos (UNILAG), commissioned and donated the newly built UNILAG Geosciences Centre of Excellence to the University on Friday.
Purposely built to strengthen geosciences education and research in Nigeria, the Centre was inaugurated by the Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services Ltd. (NUIMS), Olanrewaju Igandan, alongside the Managing Director of SNEPCo, Ronald Adams; Director of Capacity Building (NCDMB), Abayomi Bamidele; Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Sule; and the Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Professor Folasade Ogunsola.
The Centre boasts of a 250-seat auditorium, geoscience and instrumentation laboratories, a rock preparation workshop, hydrogeology, mineralogy, environmental geology, sedimentary and palaeoenvironmental sciences laboratories, a seismic interpretation room, a modern library, a digital museum, and collaborative spaces for students and researchers. It is also supported by a 600 kVA transformer, a 40 kVA solar power facility, and a field investigation coaster bus.
SNEPCo, NNPC
By connecting academia, industry, and government under one roof, the Centre provides Nigerian students and researchers with hands-on access to modern energy tools, reduces the oil and gas industry’s reliance on international markets for testing and training, and builds the in-country expertise Nigeria’s energy sector needs.
NNPC Limited remains committed to driving capacity building, supporting national development, and working with partners to secure a stronger energy future for Nigeria.
Anambra Police Arrest ‘Fake JAMB Coordinator’, Recover Exam Slips
The Anambra police command says its operatives have arrested Eric Nwombu over alleged impersonation and unlawful possession of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination materials.
In a statement on Saturday, Tochukwu Ikenga, police spokesperson in Anambra, said the suspect was arrested on Tuesday, April 14, in Atani by operatives of the inspector-general of police’s safe school initiative in the state.
He said Nwombu was apprehended after he was reported to be collecting 2026 unified tertiary matriculation examination (UTME) slips from candidates at a cybercafé.
Ikenga said items recovered from the suspect include eight UTME slips and an exercise book containing names and examination numbers of students, which he could not account for.
The police spokesperson said the suspect allegedly claimed to be a coordinator for the 2026 UTME in Atani when questioned by staff of the computer centre.
He added that the workers, dissatisfied with his explanation and suspicious of his activities, alerted police operatives in the area.
“On sighting the operatives, the suspect attempted to flee but was apprehended,” the statement reads.
Ikenga said preliminary investigation has commenced, adding that the case would be transferred to the state criminal investigation department (SCID) in Awka.
Police Arrests
He said Ikioye Orutugu, the commissioner of police in Anambra, reiterated the command’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity of public examinations, urging members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
Benue Links Driver Arrested Over Abduction Of UTME Candidates, Others
Benue Links Nigeria Limited has confirmed the arrest of its driver involved in the night trip that led to the abduction of passengers, including UTME candidates, along the Makurdi–Otukpo road.
The company’s Information Officer, Johnson Ehi Daniel, said the driver is currently in police custody as investigations continue. The bus, which was not authorised for the journey, was att@cked on Wednesday night at Ikobi while conveying passengers.
Out of the victims, two have escaped, while 13 remain in captivity.
Management revealed the driver violated company policy by embarking on a night journey without approval, documentation, or official record.
Benue Links
The General Manager, Alexander Aondohemba Fanafa, described the incident as distressing and assured that efforts are ongoing with security agencies to rescue the remaining v¡ct¡ms.
Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, is leading operations to secure their release.
-
Crime12 months agoKogi Assembly Considers Law To Regulate Rent, Establish Control Board: Tenancy Law
-
News1 year agoAtiku Reveals Why He Failed To Pick Wike As Running Mate In 2023
-
Akwa Ibom1 year agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New Territorial Chairman, Exco
-
Crime1 year agoFederal High Court Jails 2 For Vandalizing Transformer, Telecom Mast In Kogi
-
News1 year agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New National President, Executive
-
Akwa Ibom1 year agoUmo Eno Commences Payment Of 80,000 Naira Minimum Wage With Arrears
-
News1 year agoSenator Natasha Returns To Senate With Husband Amid Seat Dispute
-
Economy11 months agoKiyosaki: Is Tinubu’s Government Afraid Of Ibrahim Traore?