By Florence Onuegbu

The Federal Government on Monday expressed worry over ineffective implementation of policies in the education sector.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Andrew Adejo, expressed the concern, during the 67th National Council on Education (NCE) meeting held in Ikeja, Lagos.

The theme of the NCE meeting is: “Addressing the Challenges of Policy Implementation: A Panacea for the Achievement of Education 2030 Agenda.”

Adejo, who was represented by Mrs Obianuju Anigbogu, the Director, Educational Planning, Research and Development (EPR&D), Federal Ministry of Education, said that there was the need to ensure proper implementation of education policies, for a robust sector.

“The theme, ‘Addressing the Challenges of Policy Implementation: A Panacea for the Achievement of Education 2030 Agenda’, is apt in view of the fact that our policies are usually well-crafted, but are faced with ineffective implementation,” he said.

The permanent secretary said the educational policies faced delay and lack of regular review to reflect national needs and aspirations, lack of consistent monitoring and evaluation to check policy implementation.

“When policies that guide a nation are not implemented at the appropriate time the consequences are backwardness, under development, unemployment for graduates, poverty and insecurity.

“However, in order to tackle the challenges of policy implementation all hands must be on deck,” Adejo said.

According to him, over the years, successive governments have been confronted with numerous challenges which majorly centres on paucity of funds for funding education programmes and activities.

He, however, said both the Federal Government and many state governments had began to prioritise funding education, as witnessed in the budget estimates, already before the National Assembly and some state governments.

The permanent secretary hoped other states would also emulate such budgetary example for the good of the nation.

“It is not enough to have adequate funds to show positive improvement in our education sector, we must all commit to put in our best to ensure that programmes are delivered appropriately to reach the desired beneficiaries.

“To make policies more concrete and valuable, policy implementers; curriculum planners; curriculum developers and policy-makers must imbibe realistic policies that the country’s education makes them less dependent on others for survival by analysing reliable factors that obstruct or accelerate the implementation process.

“Effective monitoring and evaluation of the National Council on Education (NCE) decisions has also been identified as a game-changer in actualising policies, this will not only make our educational system functional but globally competitive,” he said.

Adejo urged stakeholders to make meaningful contributions that would proffer possible ways of addressing the challenges facing effective policy implementation in the education sector and also push the sector towards the achievement of education 2030 Agenda.

Also speaking, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, said the NCE was a major stakeholders’ forum designed to brainstorm and collectively articulate ideas, towards improving education service delivery of the country.

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun, the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, charged educators in the education sector to ensure they turn out graduates that are fit for the labour market.

“As we jointly deliberate on critical issues pertaining to the educational development of our children with the intention of proffering lasting solutions to identified problems.

“I seize this opportunity to remind us all, either as career professionals or elected officials to expand our thoughts and strive to produce self-reliant youths through our educational system.

“We must re-engineer and reposition our education policy making and implementation strategy to deliver graduate students who will blend with the labour market demand.

“It is in pursuit of this goal, that, we are here gathered as stakeholders to exchange ideas and agree on some proposed reforms,” he said.

The governor said the theme of the NCE meeting was apt as its gave an avenue to co-create and collaborate towards enhancing quality of teaching and learning.

He said this would provide more refined educational models and proffering lasting solutions to the challenges of policy formulation in the education sector. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Sani Idris

The Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (KADSUBEB), has begun training of no fewer than 8,500 teachers on digital literacy and Information, Communications and  Technology (ICT).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was supported by Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA),  in collaboration with Kaduna State University (KASU).

The board’s Director of Human Resource, Mr Ahmed Sani, said that the board uncovered the deficiency in computer knowledge and operations after the competency tests conducted for teachers.

Sani said the board found it crucial to train the teachers, looking at the importance of computer literacy to education and everyday life.

According to him, there is nothing more expected of a teacher than the ability of doing modern things in research and teaching students to enhance teaching skills and learning ability for learners.

“With this training, we want to enhance the knowledge of both the teachers and students.

”The teacher is very pivotal in educational issues, when he/she acquires knowledge in a modern way, he/she will also transfer in the same way,” he said.

Sani said that teaching and learning in a modernized way were expected to be a path towards addressing the dearth in the educational sector in the state.

He said the training was in line with Gov. Uba Sani’s commitment in enhancing the educational sector and upholding the importance of teachers in the state.

Sani urged the teachers to ensure maximum utilisation of the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and research.

Also, Dr Christy Aladimerin, Permanent Member, Human Resources of SUBEB, said after the teachers undertook competency tests in the past where ICT and computer knowledge was seen deficient in them, the board selected those who performed very well for the days’ training.

She said the training was to strengthen the teaching capacity of those who performed very well in the initial competency test.

Aladimerin said the training would improve their teaching methodology.

“We also encourage teachers to do a lot of research. The training is not for them alone, we want them to pass it down to the learners.

“We have placed supervision mechanisms to know if the teachers are putting into practice what they learnt,” she said.

She urged those who were not selected for the training to improve their teaching.

“If we have our way, we will train all the teachers in the state, since it is not possible, the others should work harder to have the opportunity of training going forward,”Aladimerin said.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ruth Francis, a teacher at Unguwan Muazu Primary School, expressed joy for being selected for the training.

She promised to make maximum use of the opportunity, while calling on other teachers who were not selected to do their job diligently and Godly.

Also, Mrs Aisha Ibrahim, a teacher from Kaduna South LGA, said digital literacy is very key to modern teaching and learning.

“If we have the digital knowledge, we can deliver more. We pray those of us who were not selected to also make it when the next opportunity comes, so that we all move along in enhancing knowledge of our children in schools,” she said.

NAN reports that the 7-day training drew teachers from Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan Senatorial districts. (NAN)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Bashir Rabe Mani

By Sani Idris

The Kaduna State University (KASU), on Monday, inaugurated a state-of-the-art E-learning platform, while restating the institution’s commitment TO ensuring a conducive learning atmosphere.

Speaking to newsmen at the sideline of the event, the Vice-Chancellor (V-C) of KASU, Prof Abdullahi Musa, said the institution has in the last one year undertaken a participatory approach which made them come up with comprehensive strategic planning documents.

He added that one top agenda of the strategic planning was to come up with an information communication technology that would prove efficiency and effectiveness for their engagements in KASU.

Musa, therefore, said the E-learning platform would enable KASU students access, and staff to deliver lectures wherever they are.

“The students can access lectures wherever they are regardless of time and space. For the lecturers that means they will adopt active learning rather than passive.

“It will improve the way our lectures teach and our students access lectures which will thereby post KASU amongst the top Universities globally. Adoption of the E-learning is non negotiable for us in Kaduna state,
“he said.

Also, Prof. Helen Andow, KASU’s Deputy V-C, Innovation, Strategy and Service Delivery, restated the dynamism in the 21st century.

She said that in order to meet up with the global trends, the institution could not do without E-learning.

Andow said that the E-learning platforms would enable students to recollect materials which were taught in their absence, and lecturers who would be absent could upload the materials for students to access.

She said that the E-learning platforms would ensure feasibility and enable the lecturers and students to be able to compete favourably with other global counterparts.

On her part, Dr Fatima Kabir, the Technical Adviser to the KASU VC on E-learning, said the platform would be of great benefit to the institution.

“We are in a digital era. many sectors in the society have gone digital, what is left behind is the educational sector,”she said.

Kabir said that the educational sector had been very slow in tapping from the digital opportunity, adding that the E-learning platform would ensure less work for the lecturers and students.

“With the persisted increase in the cost of fuel, the lecturers wouldn’t have to come everyday which gives them time to do other things, which is in line with the state government,” she said.

Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor of the university, Mallam Hussaini Dikko, said E-learning was one among other platforms that would reposition the institution for better learning.

He assured the stakeholders that KASU would be abraised in updating the platform to make it one of the best in Nigeria.

“We want KASU to be a reference point for e-learning,”Dikko said.

He urged the lectures and students of the institution to ensure the maximum utilisation of the platform for their educational development.(NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Anita Uzoagba

The outgoing Vice Chancellor of Bingham University, Prof. William Qurix, has attributed the unprecedented growth in the students population between 2018 and 2023 to team work and dedication by the staff and management.

Qurix, who said this at a valedictory meeting with members of staff, noted that the students’ population soared from 2,500 in 2018 to over 7,000 undergraduates and 2,000 postgraduates in 2023.

The vice chancellor, while addressing the members of staff, reminisced some of the challenges faced from when he assumed office in January 2018.

“The university was marred by financial woes, governance challenges and a looming withdrawal of its licence which at the time required drastic measures.

“The journey from old Bingham to the revitalised new Bingham was achieved by strategic planning to include restoration of the university image among ECWA members.

“The establishment of additional faculties and programmes led to a robust increase in students’ enrollment, payment of all outstanding salaries and pension liabilities, successful collaborations and partnerships.

“The university witnessed unprecedented growth with the student population soaring from 2,500 in 2018 to over 7,000 undergraduate and 2,000 postgraduate student in 2023,” he said.

According to him, in spite of challenges such as COVID 19, security concerns, financial constraints, infrastructure inadequacies, among others, the university demonstrated resilience.

He emphasised the importance of teamwork in maintaining the trajectory of growth and excellence of the institution.

Qurix expressed deep appreciation to the management and the university community for their dedication and efforts toward restoring the institution’s image.

Prof. Dul Johnson, Deputy Vice Chancellor, expressed deep appreciation over Qurix’s unwavering commitment and tireless efforts in restoring the image of the university.

Johnson particularly lauded the vice chancellor’s transformative leadership, “especially the strides made in academic excellence and infrastructural development”.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that other members of the university community from various quarters spoke glowingly about the VC’s exemplary leadership.

They described Qurix as a dedicated and hardworking professional with a compassionate heart of a father.

They wished him well as he will be leaving the office on Jan. 8. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Isaac Aregbesola/Ephraims Sheyin

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has called on African leaders to create quality jobs for their teeming unemployed youths, to stem the trend of brain drain bedevilling the continent.

Adesina said in Abuja on Friday at the Second Veritas University Digital Innovations Exhibition and 12th Convocation Lecture, that Nigeria was losing its best brains to Japa syndrome.

The former Minister of Agriculture, who spoke on the convocation lecture theme: ” Africa, It’s Your Time”, tasked Nigeria to turn its huge youth demography into an asset and not a liability.

Adesina, who was conferred with an honorary doctorate degree by the institution, announced that Nigeria had been listed among 10 other African countries to benefit from the Bank’s $20 billion Desert-to-Power initiative.

He noted that the power project was conceived to develop 10 GW of solar power, being the largest solar zone in the world when completed.

He listed other countries to benefit from the initiative as Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, the Gambia, Guinea, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Eritrea, and Senegal.

He also announced AfDB’s adoption of the Veritas University as a Centre of Excellence for Computer Coding for Employment.

“What Africa lacks is not money. What Africa lacks is lack of bankable ideas. Remember, money will always follow great ideas,” he said.

“As you join the workforce, technology and Artificial Intelligence will play a big role in your lives and in your enterprises.

“I expect to see many of you provide creative solutions to many of our challenges through analytics and data aggregation. There are huge opportunities in smart and digital economies of the future.

“All this matter to me personally because I do not want to see the continued exodus of young people who risk their lives to dangerously cross land and sea to go to Europe at all cost.

“The fastest way for Nigeria to dramatically expand the wealth of its economy, create jobs and provide decent work opportunity for its youth is to implement bold, effort-oriented, industrial manufacturing actions.

“This will rapidly expand foreign exchange earnings, boost income per capita and provide quality and well-paying jobs for millions of its young people,” he added.

Adesina charged the youth, both in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, to dream again while urging Africa to make us of the largest reserves of cobalt, lithium, diamonds, cocoa, nickel, copper, platinum and uranium in the world.

According to him, those resources could boast of 65 per cent of the world’s arable land and the largest deposit of solar potentials but has not materialised into wealth for the continent.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Hyacinth Ichoku, revealed that the institution’s undergraduate enrollment had increased from 1,200 in 2018 to over 6,000.

Also, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of the institution, Most Rev. Matthew Kukah urged the graduating students to be good ambassadors of the institution.

Kukah, in a bid to give back to the institution, announced a donation of N3 million to three students who demonstrated their ideas to the gathering. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

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By Funmilayo Adeyemi

In a significant stride towards enhancing the academic landscape, Cosmopolitan University announced a groundbreaking collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with four esteemed international organisations.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Carl Adams, unveiled this transformative agreement during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.

The MoU is poised to revolutionise the university’s commitment to equipping students with cutting-edge soft skills, with a particular focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), modern digital skills, and digital entrepreneurship programs.

Adams, a distinguished professor of Information System, emphasised that these collaborative efforts with industry leaders and institutions dedicated to fostering innovation will actualise Cosmopolitan’s visionary objectives.

Adams highlighted, “By collaborating with industry partners, we ensure our graduates are not just academically proficient but are also ready to make immediate contributions in their chosen fields.”

He emphasised the institution’s dedication to navigating the complexities of the 21st century, leading with purpose, and fostering an environment where innovation, inclusivity, and collective achievement thrive.

“The collaborations we embark on today through this event are cross-disciplinary and designed to break down intellectual silos in order to encourage a cross-pollination of ideas,” he asserted.

The Vice-Chancellor outlined the broader significance of these partnerships, stating, “Our commitment to collaboration is not confined within the walls of lecture halls and laboratories; it extends far beyond, weaving an intricate tapestry of interconnected meaningful and profitable partnerships.”

Highlighting the international organisations involved, Adams listed Global Wissen Consult, Confucius Institute for Mandarin, UK Across Atlantic Development, and Cisco as key collaborators in this transformative journey.

Dr Mani Ibrahim, the Registrar of the institution, underscored the cultural exposure that will stem from the partnership with the Chinese Confucius Institute for Mandarin.

He expressed optimism about the broader impacts on both staff and students, providing them with unique opportunities to engage with diverse perspectives.

As the university, inaugurated on Oct. 3, continues to grow with its current enrollment of 58 students across various faculties, this strategic collaboration signifies a pivotal step towards preparing students to become global leaders in an era defined by interconnectedness and innovation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

By Vivian Eze/Anita Uzoagba

Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, on Wednesday matriculated 1,504 students admitted into its 2023/2024 academic session.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the Wednesday event was the 19th matriculation ceremony of the ECWA Church-owned university.

Prof. William Qurix, the Vice Chancellor, congratulated the freshers for securing slots in the stiff competition for space at the university.

He advised the students to embrace the difficulties that lie ahead.

“It is through overcoming such challenges that we truly discover our strengths.

“The university is known for its entrepreneurship curriculum and, on the basis of this, has built a centre of innovation for entrepreneurship and leadership studies.

“Students will be required to take advantage and learn one of many skills available.

“No student of Bingham University will graduate without having an entrepreneurship skill,” he said.

Qurix said that the university would not tolerate vices, adding that the university had banned the use of smart phones.

“Android phones are weapons of mass destruction if we don’t handle them very well,” he said.

He stated that Bingham university had established collaborations and partnerships with notable world class universities which were helping to position it as a leading institution.

Qurix implored everyone to give adequate support to the next Vice Chancellor as he would be leaving office in January, 2024.

Prof. Rhoda Mundi, guest speaker at the occasion, said that there are different types of talents which require nurturing.

Speaking on the theme: “Discovering and making the most of your talent”, she said that knowing one’s talent was very important.

“It is a road map to success and fulfillment. It is about understanding what makes you thrive and leveraging on those gifts to excel in your academic pursuit.

“Accept failure as a learning process and create other opportunities for skill development and acquisition of new skills such as mentorship programme or attending courses or workshops.

“Embrace your uniqueness, discover what sets you on fire and let that passion propel you forward,” Mundi said.

Some students, in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), expressed joy at being admitted into Bingham University.

Precious Ikwuwalu of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science said she chose the university because of its promotion of morals

Joseph Emmanuel, a computer science student, said he was feeling excited because he had waited for the opportunity for a long time.

“I chose the school because it is well known and because of the level of discipline it instills on its students,” he said.

Esther Eziaka of Department of Anatomy also spoke with NAN.

“I feel happy that I am matriculating into Bingham University today.

“I chose this university because it is nice and they have good teaching equipment,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.com ng)

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Edited by Dorcas Jonah and Ephraims Sheyin

By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, the Registrar of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), on Wednesday said that the emigration of Nigerians to developed countries contributed to the underdevelopment of the country.

Oloyede made the assertion at the 17th Convocation lecture of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, titled -“Mainstreaming Uncertainty: Getting Ready for the University of Life”.

He said that the movement of skilled and unskilled labour to advanced countries was denying the country the tools for the process of positive change and development in Nigeria.

“There is nothing wrong with one making aspirations and having the ambition to better one’s life, but the economic effects on the nation are indeed unfortunate.

“The collective output of our economy is falling below that of other countries of the world in the world systems.

“Some sectors of the economy such as the banking and ICT sectors have suffered so much from the emigration of qualified professionals.

“We are now confronting a situation in which this phenomenon has increased national economic inefficiencies and underdevelopment,” he said.

The JAMB Registrar said that Nigerians were moving away from the state of certainty to the world of uncertainty with the impression that the grass is greener outside.

He identified political uncertainty, economic uncertainty, security threats, social inequalities, ethnic and religious tension, as the dimensions of uncertainty in Nigeria

“These uncertainties have led to wealth without work and knowledge without character; and they are the cause of social media addiction versus provocative social media practices.

“I urge the graduating students to face the uncertainty of life with courage, focus and hard work. Seek support and have proper education of what you want in life.

“Mainstreaming uncertainty’ is about putting the non predicability of the contemporary time into consideration while making plans and decisions,

“In the university of life, you have to be desirous, have a dream, be determined, disciplined and be dedicated to noble causes,” he advised

Also speaking, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Chairman of the occasion, commended the management of NAU for the various innovations deployed to improve the institution.

“The five-year tenure of the Vice-Chancellor of NAU, Prof. Charles Esimone, has not only been eventful but full of innovations and I want to urge the next Vice-Chancellor to keep the fire of development burning,” he said.

Earlier in his address, Esimone, said that the essence of this year’s convocation lecture was to prepare young graduates for the challenges that lie in the outside world. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

By Uche Bibilari

The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) says its researchers have won over N3 billion grants in 2023 following their applications to donor agencies for research grants.

The Vice Chancellor, UniAbuja, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’allah, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during the award ceremony for researchers and authors.

Na’allah said that the 2023 grant of over N3 billion was a significant improvement compared to the N1 billion that was won in 2022.

The vice-chancellor urged those leading in research to share their experiences with others, adding that they should support one another in order to bring in more researchers.

“When you hear information on grant, share it around so more people can participate, this will help the university produce more grant winning researchers.

“There is no world class university if there are no world scholars; we must continue to show this nation that a world class university is achievable and we have achieved it.

“We have made over N3 billion in research grants this year; we are making a mark and we are determined as a university that whatever it will take we must move forward.’’

He said there was need for scholars to invest in research because as they were the things needed to solve the problems facing the nation today.

The vice chancellor urged more scholars to apply for grants.

“What gives you joy as a scholar is research grants you get from outside; you have to keep working on getting a grant until you succeed,’’ he said.

Na’allah called on scholars to think of how to solve the problems of Nigeria such as insecurity, bad leadership among others through their research work.

He said that the university was taking the lead in resolving the problem of leadership, adding that the university would soon establish youth leadership clinic.

He said that this clinic would help to train young people and prepare them to take over the leadership of Nigeria.

The don assured the researchers that the university would not disappoint them as they continue to put the university on the map through this research grant.

He advised authors to ensure that originality was their main focus, adding that they should be innovative and create new words in their works.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that under the researchers’ cadre, seven persons won gold, two silver and 45 bronze while in the authors cadre, eight persons won gold, nine silver and 27 bronze.

Earlier, the Director, UniAbuja Centre for Sponsored Projects (CSP), Prof. Obiageli Nnodu, said the centre was introduced in 2020 by the vice chancellor.

Nnodu, while appreciating the vice chancellor, said that the centre which started small, had grown into something big.

She said the researcher category was bringing extra income, adding that researcher income was adding significantly to the revenue of the university.

One of the awardees, Dr Dike Orji, on behalf of other awardees, appreciated the vice chancellor and the university for their support to all scholars and researchers.

Orji said the recipients would continue to put in their best to see that the university grew in terms of research. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo