NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Education

NBTE says its HND to B.Sc. top up to facilitate career, academic progression

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By Sani Idris

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) says its Higher National Diploma (HND) to a bachelor’s degree Top Up programme, was designed to facilitate career and academic progression of HND holders.

The Executive Secretary of the Board, Prof. Idris Bugaje, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Wednesday.

Bugaje said that the initiative would ease the suffering of HND holders in the country.

NAN recalls that the NBTE had on Aug. 14 announced the one-year top up programme, which could be applied through: https://topup.nbte.gov.ng, to convert HND certificate to a bachelor’s degree.

The executive secretary said that HND holders have been suffering for decades, adding that efforts were made to remove the dichotomy between HND and bachelor’s degrees without success.

According to him, HND represents the best products of the Polytechnic system, stressing the need for them to progress and study for masters’ degree and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree.

“Unfortunately, up to today, a HND holder is not allowed to proceed for a master’s degree directly, but in Portugal and some other European countries, it is allowed.

“In South Africa and other places, HND holders are given a route – one additional year for Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) degree and another year for a master’s degree.”

He explained that under the top up initiative, NBTE proposed a two-year master’s degree programme for HND holders but to be run in polytechnics and not in the university setting.

This, he said, was necessary because of the differences in vision and orientations between the HND and degree, adding that a curriculum has been developed for some engineering and environmental programmes.

Bugaje said that the curriculum was taken to the former minister of education for the attention of the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, but it did not scale through.

He said that to keep the hope alive, the NBTE had to find an alternative route for the progression of HND holders, adding that the alternative route was for them to do the one-year top up.

He said that with the initiative, they will be able to get a B.Sc. in addition to HND and also enroll for a one-year masters and go further for a PhD.

“If they follow the route of Post Graduate Diploma (PGD), they will still be looked down upon in the university system.

“After they finish the PGD, master’s and PhD, come back and want to join any Nigerian university, they will ask them, where is your first degree?

“This is a very unfortunate situation and NBTE cannot allow things to continue this way.

“We have to find ways for our products and that is why we developed this top up programme with recognised and accredited foreign universities,” he said.

He said that some of the universities were in Europe, some in Asia, and some in North America, adding that the institutions were highly rated in university ranking.

He expressed optimism that the partnership with the foreign universities, if successful, might attract some Nigerian universities to key in.

“The move is not to allow HND holders to stagnate, noting that HND holders should be joining the polytechnics as assistant lecturers just like their university counterparts.

“At the moment, this is not allowed. This is injustice and NBTE cannot fold its hands and watch, As such, we must find ways to improve, and get the HND holders to progress,” Bugaje said.

He explained that the procedure of the top up includes a “credit mapping”.

He said that the NBTE has uploaded all the content of the accredited HND programmes in Nigeria into a software.

He said that the software was designed to pick the B.Sc. content of the corresponding university, outside Nigeria, match them and find the gaps between the two.

“That’s what we call credit mapping. The credit mapping process will now bring out those specific courses that will require you to meet up with the B.Sc., including laboratory practical.

“This is the arrangement being made and we hope the Nigerian education system will join us in promoting it, so that our HND holders are not left behind in terms of progression,” he said.

Bugaje said that those who enrolled for the programmes would get quality education and the fees was about 10 per cent of what they would have paid if they had enrolled for full time.

He also said that the universities have agreed to split the payment into two and pay per semester.

“The Nigerian system has a lot of prejudice against HND holders, and I hope this will change, because it is not going to help Nigeria.

“It is a colonial attitude and unless we change this attitude, development in Nigeria will stagnate.

“I hope Nigerian universities will buy-into the programme so that we can move this nation forward and stop the prejudice against HND holders,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Philip Yatai

Environment

Don seeks improved environmental sanitation measures to eradicate mosquitoes

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By Felicia Imohimi

Prof. Godson Ana, Dean, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, has called for effective environmental sanitation control strategies, and funding to eradicate mosquitoes.

Ana made the call on Tuesday in Abuja, at a symposium organised by the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), in collaboration with the Pest Control Association of Nigeria (PECAN), to commemorate the World Mosquito Day.

In a presentation titled; `Fighting the World’s Deadliest Killer, War Against Mosquito: Strategies, Gains and Setback”, the don said there was no point dealing with malaria on the surface by pumping money into hospitals, while people continued to die from mosquito related infections.

He however, said the government should rather invest money on sanitation, hygiene, and other environmental sanitation control strategies, to completely eradicate mosquitoes.

“We pump money into hospitals, rather than investing in sanitation, hygiene, and other environmental sanitation control strategies.

“We should invest more on research and documentation. Investment in research and development for malaria and other mosquito related diseases is not enough, there should be more on tackling the menace from its root cause.

“Health and socio-economic effects of mosquitoes are economic loss for health care interventions, cerebral hemorrhage, and liver problems.

“It affects pregnant women, decreases productivity due to man hour loss, leads to school absenteeism, and affects children under five years,” Ana said.

The don identified malaria as a parasitic infection transmitted by ‘Anopheline mosquitoes.

According to him, it causes an estimated 219 million cases of malaria infections globally, and results in more than 400,000 deaths every year.

He emphasised that most of the deaths occurred in children under the age of five years.

The don, who noted that most people were ignorant, or out rightly nonchalant about the benefits of keeping the environment clean and healthy, called for improved sensitisation and advocacy on environmental sanitation.

He further called for strict enforcement of sanitation laws and related programmes at the community level by EHCON, the National Environmental Standards Regulations and Enforcement Agency (NESREA), and other environment related agencies.

He said: “We need to up our game in our quest to address the mosquito scourge, the world’s deadliest killer.”

Ana, who explained that there were many species of mosquitoes in different parts of the world, also described the parasite as one of the greatest foes of mankind,

“It is responsible for most of the public health burdens, especially malaria and several methods and strategies have been used in the fight against the disease.

“The war against mosquitoes is far from being won because there are still a lot of setbacks, in spite of the modern techniques.

“Conquering invasion and its impacts require sustained efforts, innovations and commitment from all of us.”

He said the country should imbibe the WHO stipulated integrated approach to vector management, as an environmentally appropriate method.

Ana identified the system as a combination of methods in vector control, by conducting surveys in order to determine the species and position of mosquitoes and monitoring before commencement of control.

He emphasised some of the setbacks in mosquito control and eradication as; lack of effective research and documentation, environmental degradation, loss of tourism potentials, ecosystem structure, loss of manhour, and increase in number of out of school children.

“We are responsible for the destruction of our ecosystem, in the sense that certain places we are experiencing flood because we build on waterways, block water channels with refuse, which consequently provides high breeding places for mosquitoes.

“We lost a lot of tourism potential because places that are infested with mosquitoes will scare tourists away.

“Loss of man hours is very high in endemic regions, notorious for proliferation of mosquitoes and mosquito-related diseases, especially malaria,” Ana said.

Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

Metro

Wike seeks workers support to make Abuja city great

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By Philip Yatai

Mr Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has solicited the support of workers in the FCT Administration (FCTA) to make Abuja a befitting capital city.

Wike made the appeal in Abuja, while receiving handing over notes from Mr Adesola Olusade, Permanent Secretary, FCTA on Tuesday.

The minister said that his mission was to make Abuja a great city, befitting of a federal capital of the most populous nation in Africa.

“I will ensure that Abuja gets the best. You will see projects upon projects, and projects that will be completed and not abandoned.

“I am not a party to abandoned projects. I start a project when there is money as such we will look into our finances before we begin any project.

“I believe in the renewed hope of President Bola Tinubu, and Nigerians will see the difference in no distant time,” he said.

He, however, noted that not much would be achieved without the support of the workers and residents of the FCT.

He said that in the short time, the ministry would restore streetlights in the city, improve public transportation and ensure improved sanitation to keep the city clean and habitable.

“We need your support. Nothing will work without your passion, dedication, and commitment to duty. We shall provide all the support, incentives and what you need to work well.

“What I expect is results. However, if I provide the needed resources, you must deliver or return the funds.

“From next week, we will commit ourselves to deliver on our responsibilities, but we have to work together to deliver on our mandates,” he told the workers.

Wike said that appointments into the various secretariats of the FCTA would be made after due consultations with relevant stakeholders.

He urged directors who felt they did not possess the capacity to deliver on their current tasks to seek redeployment to areas of their strength, adding that he would not take any excuses for failure.

Also, the Minister of State for FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, said that with the support of the workers, what Wike has done in Rivers would be replicated in the FCT.

“I am of the firm belief that, together, and with your support, we will replicate what the Minister (Wike) has done in Rivers in the nation’s capital, especially at the Area Councils and Satellite Towns.

“This is so that the lives of our people in the rural areas will be positively touched.

“It is also instructive to state that maximum commitment, cooperation, and loyalty is expected from all staff, because it will not be business as usual.

“We will run with the vision of President Tinubu, which we will be unveiling as we hit the ground running,” she said.

Earlier, the permanent secretary assured the ministers of the unalloyed support of the entire staff of the FCT Administration in ensuring the actualisation of the mandate of the President Tinubu.

“I am particularly impressed that all stakeholders in FCT, including the indigenous people of Abuja, have demonstrated their commitment to work with you all.

“The warm welcome extended to you yesterday clearly shows the eagerness of the residents of FCT to see you replicate the Port Harcourt experience in the FCT,” he said.

Mr Shehu Hadi, Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, thanked Wike and Mahmoud for accepting to serve and reposition the FCT.

Hadi assured the ministers of the workers’ support and cooperation needed to reposition the FCT as one of the best in the world.

“We look forward to a harmonious relationship for the good of all in the FCT,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

Gender

Minister affirms commitment to empowerment, rural farming for women

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By Justina Auta

The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has affirmed her commitment towards empowerment, rural farming, and health for women and children in the country.

Kennedy-Ohanenye stated this on Monday on assumption of duty and meeting with the media in Abuja.

According to her, the ministry would work towards ameliorating the sufferings of women and children, particularly improved access to health care services and farming for those in the rural areas.

She explained that women across the six geopolitical zones will be trained on various skills, which they will also cascade to others to improve their livelihood, nation’s GDP, address street begging and insecurity.

“These are some of the things I will achieve from now to 100 days in office such as empowering women, teaching them skills, training the trainees for them to empower at least 10 people for us.

“I intend to start training the trainees in the six geopolitical zones, in which we will choose states or ballots to decide the states we will start from.

“If we are able to achieve it in 100 days, we will definitely look for people that will donate the materials for the people trained to start working on their skills, but on condition that each of them will train 10 people, which we will equally empower them,” she added.

On rural farming, the minister appealed to the public to desist from using their positions and connection to grab programmes targeted at a group.

” If we ask rural women farmers and you use connection to grab what belongs to them, when you know that you are not going to the village to do the farming.

“These are some of the things that we will not tolerate because I want to work with women and see those that are suffering, we look towards them and assist them,” she said.

She, therefore, urged the staff and other stakeholders to support the government towards achieving its mandates for the overall good of the nation.

” I want you to understand that I am not here to victimise anyone unless you are not ready to work.

” I am here to motivate the women to work hard, teach them how to fish and protect their children with the little power president Tinubu has given me, that is my job,” she said.

The minister also urged partners and other stakeholders to support the government through an insurance scheme that will enable women and children in rural areas to access quality health care services.

She also called for allocation of at least one per cent from taxation on alcoholic drinks, cigarettes and others to be channeled towards health care services for women, especially in rural areas to reduce mortality rates. (NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

Science & Tech

Nigeria ’ll compete with other countries digitally- Minister

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By Jessica Dogo

The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has said that Nigeria had the opportunity to compete with other countries digitally, not just other sectors.

Tijani, speaking with the Heads of Agencies and other stakeholders under the Ministry on Monday in Abuja, urged them to kick the ground running.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister assumed duty hours after his inauguration by President Bola Tinubu.

The minister, who took over from Prof. Isa Pantami, was among the 45 ministers sworn in by Tinubu.

He pledged to come up with policies and regulations that can protect Nigerians from devices that contradict some emerging technologies and transform the industry.

Tijani said: “This is at the same time that the policy opens up opportunities for more people to actually build us into prosperity.”

According to him, he would build on the gains recorded so far in the ministry through effective collaboration with key stakeholders in the industry.

The minister added: “I think it is always good to also take stock as well. You cannot improve what you do not know.

“It is impossible for us to move forward. If you do not assess what we have accomplished.

 “The best way to make it effective is to use technology that connects our citizens to the services they want to use in a dignified way.

“Our goal is not to come up with policies from the public sector, whether it is from this ministry or not, that will put people in pain before they can access government services.”

Tijani also said that the ministry was open to collaboration with other countries, adding that there is no country that can become strong technically in isolation.

He said: “The minister can formulate policies and regulations but if we are not working closely with industry, the things we want to see will never be built to the point where prosperity can come to our nation.

“If we do not collaborate with countries all over the world, we are going to be limited by what is available at the minute in terms of knowledge.

“We are going to be partnering with the best organisations and institutions in the world.”

According to Tijani, part of the challenge is how to connect people to opportunities so that they can progress.

“This ministry is critical to unlocking opportunities for our people regardless of where they are.

“We are the face of the ministry which means we have to update and upgrade our skills.

“This is to ensure that we are connected to modern knowledge, but most importantly, ensure that there is dignity in everything,” he said.

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Galaxy Backbone (GBB), Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) are among the agencies under the Ministry. (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

General News

Group to empower youths toward gender, education equality in North Central

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By Angela Atabo

The Gender and Education Parity Advocacy Project (GEPAP) says it will empower youths with skills toward the promotion of gender and education equality in North Central part of the country.

Rahmat Abdullahi, Project Lead, GEPAP, said this at the GEPAP Stakeholders’ Workshop in Abuja on Monday.

Abdullahi, also an alumna of the International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) in the U.S, said that selected youths would be equipped with the necessary skills to work to develop their communities in the North Central.

She said that the programme was to address the need for gender and education because of the rising rate of out-of-school children, especially girls, in the zone.

“The North Central region of Nigeria has a population of about 25 million people made up of 52 per cent female and 48 per cent male in gender distribution, according to the National Population Commission (NPC).

“However, in spite of the high population of women, girls suffer from limited access to education.

“A 2020 report by UNICEF affirms that one of the highest out-of-school rates for girls in the country is found in the region, with only 47 per cent of girls enrolled in primary school.

“The Gender and Education Parity Advocacy Project aims to address this issue by equipping young development advocates and activists from the region with the necessary skills to promote gender and education equality in their communities,’’ she said.

Abdullahi added that the project was also to create a more inclusive environment for girls in the region as well as empower them to reach their full potential through education.

“This will be done through advocacy and research for policy recommendations, innovation, and community engagements.

“The stakeholders from the public and private sectors critical to the development of educational policies and programmes will be engaged in a dialogue to get their support for the project.

“They will proffer lasting solutions to decreasing the number of out-of-school girls in the zone.

“Today’s event is a starting point of that engagement, “she said.

The GEPAP lead said the project would begin with the selection of participants who would be engaged in a comprehensive three-month training programme on “Gender and Education Fellowship.”

Speaking, Mr Shakir Akorede, a development communications consultant, said the fellowship would equip the participants with the critical skills to develop and implement effective advocacy campaigns for the promotion of gender and education parity in their communities.

“We will conduct research to examine community needs and evaluate the impact of existing programmes in fostering gender and education equity,” he said.

Akorede said that the findings of the research through direct community work would be used to develop a policy document, which would be made available to policymakers in all states in the North Central including the Federal Capital Territory.

He said the fellows would engage the communities around them in educational activities focusing on behavioural change, addressing the socio-religious and other institutional impediments faced by girls on the subject matter.

He said they would also educate their community members on the importance of gender parity and empower them to take actions toward promoting gender and education equality in their communities.

Mr Hamzat Lawal, the Chief Executive Officer, Connected Development (CODE), said the initiative was timely, because the North Central was bearing the brunt of the migration caused by insecurity from the North East and West.

“The infrastructure in Nassarawa, Niger and the FCT cannot take this influx of people because of migration.

“The consequence is that the girls that are already in school will not be able to go to school, increasing the number of out-of-school children and gender-based violence with the girls prone to early marriage,” he said.

Lawal said that galvanising key stakeholders in the education sector, investing in knowledge transfer and working with a network of young people would help in the promotion of gender and education equality in the North Central. (NAN)

Edited by Chidi Opara/Ali Baba-Inuwa

Metro

FCT: We will restore Abuja Master plan, demolish illegal structures – Wike

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By Philip Yatai

Abuja, Aug. 21, 2023 (NAN) The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mr Nyesom Wike says he will demolish all illegal buildings and structures in the FCT as part of efforts to restore the Abuja Master Plan.

Wike stated this at a news conference in Abuja on Monday to announce the short, medium, and long term plans to overhaul the FCT and reposition it among the best cities in the world.

As the new sheriff in town, he said: “It is not going to be business as usual. Those distorting Abuja Master Plan: if you build where you are not supposed to, the building will go down.

“If you build on a green area, sorry, it will go down. Those who were allocated land and refused to develop them, we will revoke such lands and re-allocate them to those who are ready to develop them.

“Those who don’t pay ground rent, we will not notify them to do so, but I will not be tired of signing revocation notices.

“Uncompleted buildings that have become a safe haven for criminals will be reclaimed by the government and put them to good use.”

The minister added that the government would no longer tolerate the indiscriminate operation of markets and motor parks by the roadside.

He said that people selling goods and wares under the umbrella by roadside, illegal motor parks and bus stops would no longer be tolerated, adding that they constitute part of the security challenge in the FCT.

“If you have a brother, sister, or uncle involved in any of these, please tell him that the time is up. The goal is to sanitise Abuja and make it safe for everyone,” he said.

He also said that efforts would be made to strengthen waste management and restore all traffic lights to keep the city clean.

He added that motorcycle and tricycle operators would be banned from the city and put an end to open grazing within the capital city.

“We will consult with stakeholders, the natives, and herdsmen to address some of these problems, including open grazing.

“We will provide alternatives to reduce the suffering of the people, particularly those without private vehicles.

“We will bring back mass transit to improve access to public transportation, and therefore, the person in charge of transportation must keep his record clean,” he said.

He said that emphasis would be placed on infrastructural development, taking one project at a time to restore the city to its glory.

The minister said that development would also be extended to the six Area Councils as part of strategies to decongest the city.

He also said that all revenue leakages would be blocked to be able to mobilise the needed resources for infrastructural development in the FCT.

On security, Wike said that he would work with all security agencies in the FCT and provide them with necessary tools and logistics to rid the city of all criminals.

According to him, FCT is supposed to be the safest city in the country, adding however, that the city is no longer safe.

“We will provide security agencies with necessary tools and logistics and after that, we will not want to hear any excuses. What we want to see is results.”

Wike also promised to consider the natives in political appointments with a view to carry everyone along.

He solicited the support of all stakeholders, including the media to restore the confidence of the people on President Bola Tinubu-led administration drive to give people hope. (NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

Defence/Security

Insecurity: GLEMDI tasks FG on improved funding of Man o’ War

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By Angela Atabo

The Godspeed Leadership and Mentorship Development Initiative (GLEMDI) has called on the Federal Government to revitalise and fund the Man O’ War for intelligence gathering to support the fight against insecurity.

Mr Habila Kayit, Executive Director, GLEMDI, made the call in a statement on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Man O’ War Nigeria is a paramilitary organisation established by the Federal Government through the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre Act as empowered by its enabling ordinance.

According to Kayit, the call is imperative because collective effort is required to tackle the insecurity being experienced in Nigeria.

“Citizens must be deliberate in assisting the government to achieve one of its most important responsibilities which is protection of lives and properties.

“Therefore, it is within the power of President Bola Tinubu to explore the diverse options available in community policing to tackle insecurity in Nigeria.

“There is a need to harmonise efforts driven by communities, individuals and groups in the fight against insecurity within their locality.

“The vigilante groups and hunters association have been fantastic, however, empowering them through a formal training in the Man O’ War leadership camps with a specific target to improve information and intelligence gathering will help greatly,” he said.

Kayit also called on the incoming Minister of Youth, Mr Abubakar Momoh, to, as a matter of urgency, revive the Man O’ War and drive initiatives that would enhance synergy with other relevant agencies.

He said there was no better time to foster communal harmonious living, advance peaceful coexistence and mutual respect to enable sustainable development than now.

“The Man O’ War remains a potential reserve and volunteers for all the security agencies to tap for information, intelligence gathering and assist in maintaining law and order.

“It is also a tool for rescue and emergency services in communities, so its operations, if strengthened, can help in the fight against insecurity and much more.

“However, the need for stakeholder’s engagement and improved budgetary allocation for the Man O’ War services cannot be overemphasised,” Kayit said.

Kayit said that reviving the activities of the Man O’ War would help the administration to achieve set goals as well as provide employment for youths to curb social vices. (NAN)

Edited by Oluyinka Fadare

Metro

Revenue harmonisation: FCT-IRS will address grey areas – acting chairman

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By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS), has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing all grey areas in the ongoing revenue harmonisation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The acting Executive Chairman, FCT-IRS, Mr Haruna Abdullahi said this during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the revenue harmonisation in Abuja.

The MoU was signed between FCT-IRS and the Kuje Area Council at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some stakeholders were skeptical about the transparency and accountability in the revenue harmonisation initiative which made FCT-IRS the sole revenue collector in the FCT.

Abdullahi, who described the ongoing harmonisation as a “marathon and not a sprint”, assured stakeholders that all concerns would be considered and addressed accordingly.

“This is a new initiative and as always, there will be challenges. However, I want to assure stakeholders that the harmonisation process will not be in a sprint, but a marathon, taking one step at a time.

“Along the way, with determination and integrity, we will get there, and we will all be smiling at the end of the day,” he said.

He said that the MoU between FCT-IRS and Kuje Area Council would provide stakeholders with a clear framework that outlines respective roles and responsibilities in the harmonisation processes.

He assured FCT residents that every kobo contributed to the revenue purse would be accounted for and used judiciously.

On transparency and accountability, the chairman said that the FCT-IRS would leverage technology, strategic partnerships, and employ international best practices.

This, according to him, will ensure the needed transparency in the harmonisation procedures and processes.

“As we embark on this harmonisation journey, I want to assure all residents of the city that every kobo contributed will be accounted for and used judiciously.

“This is not just about Kuje, it is a template and beckon of hope on what can be achieved when organisations and government agencies come together to work for the good of all.”

Abdullahi assured stakeholders that the revenue service would continue to engage and clarify issues of concerns as they emerged in line with relevant laws and guidelines.

He said that the channels for clarifying every concern would always be opened for dialogue for all stakeholders to be on the same page.

He commended Mr Adesola Olusade, the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, for his dedication and support in the harmonsation journey, adding that his unwavering commitment had been inspiring.

Abdullahi also commended the Executive Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Mr Abdullahi Sabo, for his determination and steadfastness in supporting the revenue harmonisation process.

In his remarks, Sabo affirmed the council’s confidence in the capacity of the FCT-IRS to handle revenue collection on their behalf.

He expressed confidence that with FCT-IRS standardisation of existing data and automation of revenue collection, all levy and revenue collections in Kuje Area Council would be transmitted electronically.

He expressed optimism on the success of the project and indicated confidence that other area councils would equally sign the MoU with the FCT-IRS to strengthen the harmonisation drive.

Olusade, who witnessed the signing of the MoU, said that the revenue harmonisation drive was part of efforts to ensure ease of doing business in the FCT, which began in 2012.

He attributed the current challenges to the harmonisation process to lack of mutual trust and insufficient teamwork among relevant stakeholders.

The permanent secretary, however, expressed optimism that the harmonsation process would grow to fruition with the level of commitment being expressed by relevant stakeholders. (NAN)

Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Education

1,683 school children kidnapped in 8 years in Nigeria – Report

91 total views today

Attack

By Angela Atabo

Abuja, Aug. 17, 2023 (NAN) A report released by Save the Children International (SCI) has revealed that about 70 schools were attacked and 1,683 school children kidnapped across Nigeria between Feb 2014 and Dec. 2022.

The report is entitled, “Education Under Attack: Review and Analysis of Attack on Schools, Teachers, and Learners from the Kidnapping of the Chibok Girls, Borno, Nigeria in 2014.”

The consultant who developed the report, Mr Augustine Mamedu, while presenting the findings in Abuja on Thursday, also said that 184 learners were killed while 88 others were injured within the period.

Mamedu added that about 60 teachers and other school workers were also kidnapped; 14 were killed, while 25 school buildings were destroyed.

He pointed out that since the Chibok incident in Feb. 2014 when about 276 girls were kidnapped, the spate of kidnappings has been on the rise.

He added that the reports also revealed a geographical shift in the kidnappings of learners from the North East to the North West and North Central Zones.

He said that between 2014 and 2022, five schools were attacked in North East, 49 in North West, 11 in North Central, three in South South and two in South West.

“The report also showed that 28 schools have been attacked in Kaduna State within the period, with 17 schools attacked in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state alone.

“In Katsina State, 99 schools were closed, affecting 30,870 learners,” he said.

The consultant said that the report recommended increased investment in safe schools and the implementation of the SSD across the country and closure of boarding facilities located in communities with no security posts.

The Country Director, SCI, Mr Famari Barro, called for the full implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration (SSD) signed in 2015 to protect school children from kidnapping and other vices.

Barro explained that the SSD was a political commitment endorsed by the Federal Government to protect children, teachers and school facilities from attack and use of school facilities during arm conflict.

He said that globally, attacks on education, schools, children, and their teachers as well as the use of school facilities by security agencies during conflict was on the increase.

He recalled that the Nigerian government had taken steps by domesticating the SSD and pledged to mainstream and implement the declaration guidelines.

The country director, however, said that despite the efforts, attacks on education have remained a challenge in the country.

He explained that SCI commissioned the survey to examine attacks on schools, teachers, and learners in Nigeria since the attack on Chibok in 2014.

He said that the move was to find possible solutions from the view of the impacted communities, teachers, and learners.

Barro commended the establishment of the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Center (NSSRCC).

“The initiative was a good step in providing a conducive learning environment for conflict-affected girls, boys, and children with disabilities in situations of violence.

“However, until the children in remote villages, who feel threatened by the rate of violence can attend school without fear, there is still much to be done.

“More needs to be done to prevent attacks, but also to support children and their families, especially with trauma management,” he said.

Responding, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr Andrew Adejo expressed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring a safe school for every child through the implementation of the SSD.

Adejor, who was represented by Mr Joseph Achede, Deputy Director, Secondary Education, said that the ministry was working hard to address the problem. (NAN)

Edited Philip Yatai

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