September 8, 2024

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Education

Tinubu addresses bottlenecks to universal education – Shettima

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Thursday says President Bola Tinubu’s administration is working assiduously to tame all bottlenecks to universal education in the country.

According to him , this is being championed through the ongoing reforms of the institutions tasked with overcoming the ideologies and inadequacies frustrating the sub sector.

Shettima stated this at the launching of a book titled,” Navigating the Politics of Universal Education Policies in Nigeria”, authored by Prof. Modupe Adelabu, former Deputy Governor of Ekiti.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event held at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Conference Centre in Abuja.

” As a steward of the nation, His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu is leading the charge to reform the institutions tasked with overcoming the ideologies and inadequacies that had frustrated universal education in Nigeria.”

Shettima said the lack of financial autonomy for the local governments that were responsible for delivering primary education had financially hindered its alignment of the administrative units with the nation’s education agenda.

He, however, said that the recent Supreme Court judgment empowering the local government councils to control their resources brought them closer to the people.

“It provides new hope for our educational initiatives. We need to align with the governance and see that the educational needs of our children are catered for.”

Shettima warned that the local government autonomy should not be abused, stressing that it should be used as a fulcrum, window and avenue for addressing educational needs at the grassroots.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

”And without the partnership between the Federal Government, the state and the local governments, very little can be accomplished.

” Just 15 to 20 years ago, local governments were not paying the salaries of primary school teachers and even the health workers.

” So, we have to put a mechanism in place to safeguard the interests of our core workers in the local government system,” he added.

Shettima reiterated his call on Nigerians to invest their trust in President Tinubu, emphasising that Tinubu meant well for the country.

He said, ” Tinubu is not in power to engage in primitive capital accumulation, nor is he in power to leave landmarks in the sands of time.

” I’m not playing politics, I’m speaking from the heart. I have seen the soul of Bola Tinubu, and he has a good soul. He is the most demonised politician in Nigeria.

“The first time I went to his house at Bourdillon, I was looking forward to seeing a mansion comparable to Buckingham Palace, with gardens, and swimming pools.

”But there was nothing special about that house. My house in Maiduguri is better than the house in Bourdillon,” Shettima said.

The vice-president assured Nigerians that in the coming months, the country would witness a positive change in the economy and fortunes of the nation.

Shettima urged governments at all levels to focus on policies that empower those at the forefront of implementing initiatives that inspire interest in education.

“Tinubu’s decision to establish the Students’ Loan Scheme in the country was to secure the future of Nigerian children.

” The initiative ensures that every student has access to loans to pay their tuition, and the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has already recorded an overwhelming number of applications.

“This is a landmark achievement, signalling the bright future we are building for our youth.

” Beyond making education universally free, our experience shows that incentivising is the most practical gateway before us.

”This is why all of us, across all levels and branches of government, must join this campaign to educate the nation”.

Shettima said the realities inherited by the Tinubu administration demanded urgent action to ensure that education was not only accessible but also desirable for every Nigerian child.

“Many primary and secondary school-age children are still not attending or completing their education, and a large portion of the youth population lacks basic literacy skills, with notable gender disparities.

” This is what we must overcome,” he added.

Shettima commended Adelabu for providing answers to some of the most pressing challenges confronting policymakers.

According to him, the book will inspire informed conversations around the state and future of education in Nigeria.

He said, “As both a theorist and a practitioner in our education sector, Prof. Adelabu’s insights are borne out of experience and passion.

”I believe this book will serve as a critical resource for all who seek to improve our educational landscape.”

Earlier, Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti, praised the author for her contributions to Nigerian educational development and society.

He said that, “Prof. Adelabu’s life is a testament to the abiding faith of God in our lives.

”Her quest for excellence and service to humanity is a reflection of her academic excellence and intellectualism.”

Also, the book reviewer, Prof. Siyan Oyeweso, Department of History and International Studies, Osun University also lauded Adelabu’s work.

” The author has singled out the politics and financing of education in this book.

”It’s impossible to separate politics, education, and finance, as the major stakeholders, are political players.”

The author emphasised the need for a comprehensive re-evaluation of the education system.

Adelabu said, “We need to reevaluate our education system to meet the needs of our country and prepare our children for both domestic and global environments.’

She called for a focus on not just academic subjects, but also values like democracy, justice, and good governance.

Discussants of the book, including former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Bolaji Abdullahi, highlighted the need to distinguish between school attendance and quality education.

He said, “We’re spending more money on education than ever before. However, we need to make a distinction between going to school and getting an education.”

The don also called for a review of the Universal Basic Education Commission law and pondered on the capacity of local governments to handle complex educational reforms.

Former First Lady of Ekiti, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, drew attention to the persistent challenges in girl-child education.

According to her, Nigeria has about 18.3 million out-of-school children, the highest in the world, with 50-60 per cent being girls.

She proposed implementing gender-specific education policies and removing obstacles to girls’ education, such as insecurity and conflict. (NAN) (wwww.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Education

Specialised varsities will revolutionise education sector– Pro-chancellor

 

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Prof. Adamu Ahmad, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Federal University of Education, Kano (FUEK), says the establishment of universities of education in Nigeria will revolutionise the country’s education sector.

 

Ahmad, in his goodwill message during the council’s inaugural meeting with the university’s management at its main campus in Kano, described the specialised universities as a permanent fixture, set to usher in a new era of excellence in the education sector.

 

He commended the Federal Government’s visionary decision to upgrade the former federal colleges of education, Kano and Zaria, to universities of education.

 

He described it as a timely response to the growing need for specialised institutions in the education sector.

 

“The conversion of these institutions into universities of education is justified by the pressing need to focus on the intellectual growth of education disciplines, often constrained within conventional universities,” Adamu said.

 

He said that the specialised universities of education could no longer be neglected as they carried the hopes of a region desperate for improvement in its education landscape.

 

Highlighting the benefits of the upgrade as witnessed in the agriculture, health and transportation sectors, Adamu said that the stand-alone universities of education would allow for greater specialisation.

 

He added that it would also enhance teachers’ education quality and contribute to national development.

 

“Isolating education disciplines into dedicated universities will foster innovation in teaching methods and educational research, leading to better-prepared educators and a more robust educational system,” he said.

 

Ahmed also commended the institution’s management for maintaining industrial harmony, which led to a smooth transition of the universities.

 

He highlighted the shared historical significance of FUEK and Federal University Education, Zaria, both founded in the early 1960s as pioneering teacher-training establishments.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kayode Olaitan

Education

WAEC withholds 215,267 results over alleged malpractice

By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has withheld results of 215, 267 candidates, who sat for the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) over alleged malpractice.

Dr Amos Dangut, Head, National Office (HNO) stated this while announcing the results on Monday, in Lagos.

According to Dangut, the number represents 11.92 per cent of candidates that sat for the examination.

He noted that the figure was 4.37 per cent lower than the 16.29 per cent recorded in 2023.

“The withheld results of these candidates that sat for the examination are in connection with various reported cases of examination malpractice.

“The increasing use of cell phones in the examination hall, in spite of the existing ban and organised cheating in some schools, are other nagging issues.

“All the cases are being investigated and reports of the investigations will be presented to the appropriate committee of the council, for consideration and final decisions,” he said.

The WAEC boss added that the committee’s decisions would be communicated to the affected candidates through their various schools, in due course.

He urged candidates affected by the decisions to call for redress of their cases, if they so wished, via https://waecinternational.org.

According to him, the council will continue to sanction all cases of examination malpractice.

He said that schools, supervisors, teachers and candidates perpetrating the evil were not helping the educational system.

“All hands must therefore be on deck to sanitise the system,” he said.

Giving a further breakdown of the results, Dangut said a total of 1,814,736 candidates registered for the examination from 25,126 recognised secondary schools in the country.

He said that of the total number of candidates that sat for the examination, 896,894 are male, while 908,322 others are female, representing 49.68 per cent and 50.32 per cent, respectively.

He added that of the 1,814,736 candidates that registered for the examination, only 1,805,216 sat the examination.

He noted that the examination was also administered to candidates from some schools in Benin Republic, Cote d’Ivoire and Equatorial Guinea, where the Nigerian curriculum for senior secondary schools was being used.

“Out of the total number of candidates that sat the examination in Nigeria, 1,685,889 candidates, representing 93.39 per cent have their results fully processed and released while 119,327 others, representing 6.61 per cent, have one or more of their subjects still being processed, due to some issues being resolved.

“Efforts are, however, speedily ongoing to complete the process and release the affected candidates’ results within a couple of days,” he said.

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According to him, the analysis of statistics of candidates’ performance in the examination shows that out of the 1,805,216 candidates that sat for the examination, 1,332,089 representing 73.79 per cent obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects.

He explained that this was with or without English Language and or Mathematics.

Speaking further, he said a total of 1,301,941 candidates, representing 72.12 per cent obtained credits and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

“Of this number, 628,820, that is, 48.30 per cent are male candidates, while 673,121 representing 51.70 per cent are female candidates.

“A comparison of the percentage of candidates in this category in WASSCE for School, 2023 and 2024, reveals that in 2024 WASSCE, there is 7.69 per cent decrease in performance.

“That is when compared with those who obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, which was 79.81 per cent,” he said.

Dangut further said that a total of 109,115 candidates with varying degrees of Special Needs registered for the examination.

According to him, of the number, 145 are visually challenged, 473 have impaired hearing, 44 are spastic cum mentally challenged, while 38 are physically challenged.

“All these candidates were adequately provided for in the administration of the examination.

“The results of these candidates have been processed and are also now being released along with those of other candidates,” he said.

The WAEC boss cited security concerns as one of the challenges encountered by the council in conducting the examination nationwide.

“The ‘Sit-at-home’ order in the Southeast and the industrial action embarked upon by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), coincided with the days major papers were to be written.

“These posed serious threat that could have deprived Nigerian candidates the privilege of sitting the papers with their counterparts in other member countries.

“I am exceedingly glad that the Nigerian populace saw reason to allow candidates sit all the papers.

“The non-adherence to registration deadline is perhaps the greatest headache the council encountered on the road to conduct this examination.

“This issue continued to linger as some schools failed to upload their students’ CASS at the stipulated time and many also failed to meet registration deadlines.

“It should be known to all and sundry that registration for WAEC examinations is not an open-ended thing.

“Pre-examination materials, examination materials and post-examination materials have to be produced, using data supplied by candidates in good time, before the conduct of any diet.”

He said that failure to meet the requirements would throw the entire process into jeopardy.

“We plead for co-operation and understanding in this respect, in order to make future exercises less stressful.

“We also faced financial issues and inflation.

“The rate of inflation in the country has affected the cost of everything and the council is not excluded.

“This has greatly added to the challenges we are facing in terms of the cost of conducting examinations,” he said.

He said that the constant hike in price and scarcity of petroleum products affected the seamless conduct of the examination.

This, according to him, was because the council had to move examination materials from one point to another.

The WAEC boss also decried the connivance of some supervisors with operators of rogue websites, to deceive and compromise the standard of the examination.

“During the course of inspection, activities of rogue website operators did not go unnoticed, as some of these miscreants are already having a taste of their pudding.

“A few supervisors and invigilators, who were caught aiding and abetting examination malpractice, were also brought to book.

“The council, on its part, through the Nigeria Examinations Committee (NEC), will mete out appropriate sanctions to affected supervisors, through the various State Ministries of Education,” he said.

Speaking further, he said as results of the 2024 WASSCE for School Candidates, were being uploaded on the website, candidates should, after checking, apply for their Digital certificate, which would be released 48 hours thereafter.

According to him, candidates who have fulfilled their financial obligations to the council can access their results on its results website:http://www.waecdirect.org,
within the next 12 hours.

“Copies of the result listing will be sent to schools shortly.

“I need not restate the fact that the results of candidates, who are sponsored by states indebted to the council, will not be released now, until payment is made.

“We appeal to the concerned to do so, to enable the affected schools/candidates access their results.

“The Result Checker PIN and Serial Number required by candidates to check their results online, are contained on the Candidate’s Smart Identity Card, issued and used during conduct of the examination.

“Hard copies of certificates of candidates whose results have been fully processed and released will be ready within the next 90 days, counting from today,” he stated. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Francis Onyeukwu/Oluwole Sogunle

Education

JUPEB: No mock examination for candidates

 

By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

The Joint Universities Preliminary Examination Board (JUPEB) says reports that it will conduct a mock examination, following the recent postponement of its 2024 test, are untrue.

The Registrar of the board, Prof. Ademola Adeleke, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, in Lagos, that JUPEB never had such a plan.

Recall that the board had announced the postponement of its 2024 examination, earlier scheduled to run from Aug. 5 to Aug. 16.

It had rescheduled the examination to hold from Monday, Aug. 19, to Friday, Aug. 30.

Adeleke had hinged the postponement on security concerns in some states, following the #EndBadGovernance protest in the country.

“It has come to our notice that some mischief makers have been going about misinforming the public concerning our 2024 examination.

“I want to state categorically that, at no time did we propose or plan any mock examination, following the recent postponement of this year’s examination.

“I, therefore, call on our partner and affiliate universities to disregard that information, as it is not coming from the board.

“It is fake news and we know nothing about such information.

“All information concerning the board, its examination and other academic activities, are usually communicated through our official channels, the don said.

JUPEB is a national examinations body approved by the Federal Government and formally established by a consortium of 10 partnering universities led by the University of Lagos.

It conducts common and standard examinations for candidates who have been exposed to a minimum of one-year approved courses in the different Universities’s Foundation and/or Diploma Programmes.

Such candidates, through the examination, seek Direct Entry admissions into University courses at the 200 Level in Nigerian and partnering foreign universities. (NAN)

Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu/Oluwole Sogunle

 

Education

Nigeria tops beneficiaries of EU’s postgraduate scholarships in Africa – Envoy 

By Angela Atabo

The European Union (EU) says Nigeria has retained its number one spot among beneficiaries of its postgraduate scholarships in Africa for the sixth year.

The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Samuela Isopi, stated this in Abuja, at the award of scholarships to 142 postgraduate scholarships to young Nigerians in top European universities in the 2024-2025 academic session.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 142 young people were awarded the scholarship under the EU’s flagship educational programme, Erasmus+.

The Erasmus Mundus scholarship is funded by the EU and is awarded to students selected for attending one of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Programmes at the Master’s or Doctoral level.

The scholarship can be awarded to students from both non-EU and EU countries.

The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Samuela Isopi, at the Erasmus+ Scholarship Pre-departure Orientation event, described Nigerian students as outstanding.

She said at the event, which was organised by the EU that the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) programme was now in its 20th year.

She said that this was with a highly transformative impact on individuals, higher education institutions, and countries both within and outside of the EU.

According to her, this year from Nigeria, there are 142 awardees who were selected from thousands of candidates all over the world through a very competitive process .

Isopi said, “This means that it is a very good achievement and reaffirms that Nigerian students are very good and among the best.

“Nigeria is the top country in Africa with the highest number of awardees this year and it is one of the top five in the world together with countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

“This once again shows that Nigeria is a country with great talents and we are very proud as the European Union that we can contribute not only to further development of that skill but to contribute through that to the development of Nigeria itself.”

Isopi said that the scholarship was an opportunity not only for their personal development but also a great opportunity for the country as well.

“This is because with this master’s programme, they will study in various European countries, some of them for one year, two years in very specific areas of competence.

“They will come back and put their skills at the disposal of their country to develop further,” she said.

The EU ambassador, however, said that most of the awardees would start their Erasmus plus journey in September.

She said that the pre-departure orientation was aimed at providing the recipients with hands-on tips on how to make the best of the immense opportunities inherent in the prestigious scholarship.

NAN reports that the programmes will run for 12 to 24 months with each beneficiary studying in at least three different universities in as many countries within and outside the EU during the period.

Some of the programmes would include Renewables-based Power Systems, Chemical Innovation and Regulation, Public Health in Disasters and Bio refinery.

Others are European MSc in Marine Environment 2030, Soils science, Systems for Sustainable Engineering, Sustainable Mineral and Metal Processing Engineering, Sustainable Ship and Shipping and several more.

On the successful completion of the programme, an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) scholar would receive a master degree to be jointly awarded by a consortium of universities, in the framework of the EMJMD programme a key component of Erasmus+.

NAN also reports that the EU works with the governments of Kano, Sokoto, Jigawa, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Oyo, Katsina, Enugu and Plateau.

The projects aim at strengthening the education system, increase the use of digital technology for teaching, learning and system management, and mainstream green skills and knowledge by investing 45.4 million euros from 2021-2027 in its education projects. (NAN)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Bashir Rabe Mani

Education

Safe school: Group urges Gombe govt to rehabitate school infrastructure

By Hajara Leman

Some Community Based Organisations (CBOs) in Gombe, have urged the state government to rehabilitate dilapidated school structures to avert building collapse.

Malam Adamu Aliyu, the representative of the group, stated this on the sidelines of the State Level Sensitisation on the implementation of Safe School Declaration in Deba, Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area of the state.

He said the call was imperative to facilitate rehabilitation of dilapidated school structures to avert building collapse, especially in rural areas.

Adamu, who is also the Master Trainer, Safe School Declaration Initiative in the state, said the measure would secure the school enviroment.

“Even though Gombe is peaceful in terms of other threats but in the area of infrastructure, the assesment report showed that they have scored 13 per cent, which is very low.

“This signifies that government needs to do more in rural communities because the structures in the urban areas are stronger.

“At Central Primary School, Deba, there are cracks on some of the buildings and damaged floors. Intruders are coming in to the school left and right because it is poros,” he said.

He said the School Based Management Committee had conducted minor repairs in the school, adding that, “there are things beyond their capacity like perimeter fencing and presence of security personnel day and night.

“We are calling on government to invest more in school infrastructure at the rural level,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Gombe government in collaboration with the UNICEF is implementing a safe school intervention programmes, designed to secure schools from violence and other threats as well as provide safe teaching and learning environment.

Meanwhile, the Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), has inaugurated SBMC’s in 70 schools across the state.

Part of the mandate of the committee is to identify gaps that needed to be filled and early warning sign for threats.

Mr Abduraham Ibrahim, Education Specialist, UNICEF, stressed the need for stakeholders to adhere to the principles of the safe school initiative, to enable children grow confidence in learning.

He said the UN agency had trained teachers on safe school initiative, to expose them to the necessary steps in security, conduct of teachers and students in schools.

Also, Mrs Hajara Hassan, Head Teacher, Zangoma Kyari Primary School in Kwami LGA, requested for the perimeter fencing, provision of toilets, classrooms and water facilities in the school.

“That is the highest risk faced by the children. Cows came into the school premises and injured one pupil.

“There are 374 pupils in the school at the moment with only four classrooms. We only got these classes renovated by Gov. Inuwa Yahaya.

“This is rainy season, but during dry season or when school feeding programme is on, we find it difficult teaching them as we take some of them under tree shade. We got up to 200 additional pupils with only four teachers including me,” she said.

On his part, Nasiru Abubakar, Head Teacher, Doho Science Pilot Primary School, Kwami, identified gender based violence and corporal punishment as one of the issues inhibiting safe learning environment in the school.

He said that such experience negatively affected the learning process. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

Education

Why workers should live close to workplaces – Lecturer

 

By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu/Bolu Akindoyin

Dr John Okesoto, Chief Lecturer, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), says there is a correlation between the distance to a worker’s workplace and his productivity.

The chief lecturer called on governments to provide affordable staff quarters near offices to enable workers to access their workplaces with ease and be more productive.

Okesoto made the suggestion while delivering Yabatech’s 15th Inaugural Lecture Series for 2024, on Thursday.

The lecture had the title: ‘The Poor, the Pot and the Bed’.

He said: “The poor represents the low-working income group in both public and private sectors: those in a low-paid occupation such as househelps, unskilled labourers and artisans,” he said.

According to him, ‘the pot’ is the workplace of the individual who provides income for the household from where family members draw their expenses for housing, food, health, investments, transportation and education.

“Pot is usually found in the kitchen not too far from the bedroom,” he said.

Okesoto described ‘the bed’ as representing housing.

“Housing is a basic need of man and a place of abode.

“The pots of poor workers are far from their beds due to their poor incomes which directly impact their choices of location for their homes,” he said.

He said that many poor workers lived far from their workplaces because they could not afford housing near their workplaces.

According to him, the situation impacts negativity on the gross domestic product as well as the carbon footprint of the environment.

“It is therefore necessary that something must be done to make the working poor to live closer to where they work, to make the poor to sleep closer to where the pot is.

“All government and non-government establishments with more than 99 staffers should be mandated to make provision for staff quarters,” he said.

The chief lecturer also said that employers could consider providing staff quarters through public/private partnership.

He said that living far from workplaces impacted on workers’ living standards and made them less productive as they spent more money, time and energy on commuting.

In his remarks, the Rector of Yabatech, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, said that the lecture addressed the intricate dynamics that characterised the social, economic and cultural landscape of Lagos State.

“As an institution of learning , we are not just about academics, we are also about community and social responsibility.

“The aim of this lecture is to deepen our understanding of the challenges and opportunities that exist within our urban landscape and to spark a renewed sense of

purpose in addressing the complex issues that affect the well-being of our fellow citizens.

“We are presented with a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the multi-faceted nature of Lagos, to explore the interplay between wealth and poverty,” he said.

The rector also said that the lecture presented an opportunity to examine the societal structures that impacted the lives of Lagos inhabitants and to reflect on the ways to contribute to creating a more equitable, inclusive, and prosperous urban environment.

He thanked the chief lecturer for sharing his knowledge.

“I am confident that the insights and perspectives shared by our esteemed speaker today will serve as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue and critical reflection,” he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okesoto is a Member of the Nigeria Institute Town Planners.

He has written no fewer than 69 conference papers, contributed to 63 journals and edited four books. (NAN)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Education

Nigerian stands out, honoured by University of Warwick

By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
A Nigerian student, Cherish Daniel-Markson, has been honoured by University of Warwick, United Kingdom, for exceptional performance in three-year BA (Hons) Law with Social Sciences degree.

 

This is stated in a congratulatory letter by Margaret O’Brien, Director of Undergraduate Studies at the university’s school of law, issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

 

 

The institution management acknowledged her outstanding result, having scored the highest marks ‘on the most demanding of all courses’.

 

 

“Cherish has been awarded First Prize for her three-year BA (Hons) Law with Social Sciences degree in the University of Warwick.

 

 

 

“She scored the highest mark of all students, achieved a Second Class; Higher Division Degree with an overall average of 67.3%. and have been awarded the sum of £250 as price money.

 

 

 

“This was the highest mark of all students on this most demanding course, a record of your prize-winner status will be added to your HEAR transcript,” it added.

 

 

According to the letter, Cherish has always been an outstanding student from Nigeria where she had her primary and secondary education.

 

 

“Three years ago when Cherish was a student of Bridge House College, Ikoyi in Lagos, she was awarded the Top in World Award in Law and High Achievement in Sociology by Cambridge International.

 

“Cherish bagged the prestigious award for her outstanding achievement in her Advanced Subsidiary Level Examination – November 2020/2021 series.

 

“She achieved all A-stars (A*) in nine of her IGCSE subjects; (English, Mathematics, Biology, Geography, Literature, Business Studies, Economics, History, and ICT).

 

“With Cherish’s level of commitment and intellect, there is no doubt that she will go on to do great things in her post-university life,” it added.

 

 

The international qualification is recognised globally by the world’s best universities and employers as giving students a wide range of options in their education and career.

 

Similarly, Mrs Foluke AbdulRazaq, Bridge House College founder, while commending Cherish, described her as an ‘outstanding ambassador’ of the school for achieving extraordinary success, charged her not to relent in her pursuit of excellence.

 

“We are proud of Cherish outstanding academic achievement at Warwick University.

 

“She is a great ambassador of our school and we will continue to cheer her to greater success, we are proud to have nurtured her at Bridge House College,” she added. (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Education

Education: ICPC, stakeholders brainstorm on sexual abuse

By Isaac Aregbesola

Stakeholders in the education sector will engage the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to strategise on ways to address sexual harassment in tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

The meeting billed to hold in Abuja was being organised by the ICPC and Gender Mobile Initiative (GMI), a non governmental organisation.

Ms Omowumi Ogunrotimi, Executive Director, Gender Mobile Initiative, said the engagement would focus more on prevention frameworks rather than punitive measures.

“Development partners, education regulators, student groups and civil society organisations will engage and commit to the state-level adoption and implementation of sexual harassment prevention frameworks,” she said.

Ogunrotimi said the engagement aimed at addressing the grave concern undermining the safety, dignity and academic integrity of the victims and institutions.

“It is imperative that we create a learning environment where all students and educators can pursue their goals free from fear and intimidation.

“To achieve this, it is essential to implement comprehensive policies and effective prevention strategies.

“To this end, a stakeholders engagement will be convoked on July 9, in Abuja, to address the pervasive issue of sexual harassment on campuses, with a comprehensive focus on prevention frameworks,” Ogunrotimi said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

Education

We’ll uphold past leaders high standards- Pro Chancellor

By Hafsah Tilde
Dr Mohammed Santuraki, the newly appointed Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, FUT Minna, says the council will uphold the high standards set by past leaders of the institution over the past 40 years.

Santuraki said this during the first meeting of the council members after the inauguration of the 10th governing council in FUT Minna.

“The meeting was incredibly useful, and I am deeply impressed by the exceptional credentials and experience each member brings to our well-deserved positions.

“The quality of  discussions was remarkable, and I am confident that together we have the capacity to elevate this great university to even greater heights during our tenure.

“I truly look forward to working with all of you, including the internal members and institutional representatives on the council that I am yet to officially meet. I eagerly look forward to meeting them too.

“Kudos to the current management under the leadership of VC Prof Faruk Kuta and all those before them who have silently built such an incredible institution over the last 40 years,

“Beginning with the legendary tenure of our pioneer VC, Prof. J.O. Ndagi. We stand on the shoulders of these giants and their legacies. We owe it to them and all University stakeholders to uphold and enhance the high standards they have set.

“It is my immense privilege and honour to lead this charge, and I believe we can achieve great things together,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that President Tinubu approved the appointment of governing Councils of Tertiary Institutions May 18 and they were inaugurated July 4.

The council plays a crucial role in shaping the direction and policies of their respective institutions, influencing everything from academic standards to administrative decisions.(NAN)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

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