The Old Boys Association of Rimi (St John’s) College, Kaduna, has tasked students to strive toward becoming people of integrity.
“You must strive toward building good names; a good name is better than silver and gold,” Prof. Dele Tologbonse, a Guest Speaker at the old students ongoing Reunion said.
The Reunion, which began on Friday, is holding at the school premises.
He advised the students to accept failure rather than achieving success through dubious ways.
National officials of the Rimi (St John’s) College, Kaduna old Boys Association
Tologbonse said: “You should believe in yourself, don’t let people take you down; you can become anything in life, don’t be afraid.
“You can make it in life no matter who your parents are; it is important to get in touch with your school mates every now and then”.
Malam Haliru Musa, the Permanent Secretary, Kaduna State Ministry of Education, said that he graduated from the school in 1986, regreting that the boarding system had been stopped.
According to Musa, the state government is working towards restoring boarding system, adding that the school would be restored back to its former glory.
He advised the old students’ association to maintain the nomenclature: ‘Rimi College,’ known by the state government albeit rather ‘Rimi (St John’s) College’’.
Rimi (St John’s) College, Kaduna Old Boys Association
Also, the Acting Principal of the school, Danlami Ibrahim described the old boys reunion in the school premises as a step in the right direction as it would keep them abreast of happenings in the school.
He said the association had supported the school with an e-library, among other things, adding that more needed to be done for the school in terms of learning materials.
Ibrahim appreciated the old boys for keeping in touch with their alma mater through interaction and activities like the reunion.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that activities lined up for the reunion would run from Dec. 1 to 3. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, Vice-Chancellor of Ebonyi State University (EBSU), says TETFund has been the live-wire of the nation’s universities.
Ogbu made the remark in Abakaliki during the official inauguration of some TETFund-sponsored projects in the university.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the projects include the Faculty of Education building, the University Library and Centre for Information Communications Technology (ICT) and Research.
The vice-chancellor noted that the faculty of education building was a four-floor structure with 27 classrooms, 3 major teaching laboratories, 66 offices, faculty library and two lecture theatres.
”The university library is a three-floor structure housing e-library, faculty sections, binding, references and cataloguing. There is a section for bookshop, 12 offices and board room
”The ICT is a two-floor building with 500 seating capacity, four ICT halls with 582 desktop computers for CBT examinations and training among other sections,” he explained.
Sonny Echono, Executive Secretary of TETFund
Sonny Echono, Executive Secretary of TETFund, represented by his Special Assistant, Alhaji Buhari Mikailu, stated that the office was committed to improve infrastructure in universities.
He said from the enlistment of Ebonyi State University as a beneficiary, it had enjoyed allocations of more than N10.8 billion for infrastructure-related interventions.
”This cuts accross the annual, special, Special High Impact and zonal interventions, amongst others.
”The statistics reveal that about 88.24 per cent of these funds have been accessed and deployed to address infrastructural deficiencies in the university.
”We have no doubt that the projects undertaken with these funds have remarkably impacted on the mandate of the university in facilitating teaching, learning, and research,” Echono explained. (NAN)(www nannews.ng)
Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, former Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has called on universities and other tertiary institutions in the country to intensify research and community services to boost national growth.
Bogoro made the call on Saturday at the 11th Convocation Lecture of the Nile University, Abuja, in a paper titled: “Reasserting the Pivotal University Roles of Research and Community Service for National Development”.
He said that universities must serve as think tanks for national development.
“It is very important that the ultimate objectives for both theoretical and applied research are carried out to conclusion. This is why the justification for any research enterprise is clearly expressed in all research proposals.
“There must always be justified anticipated deliverables that must be problem-solving. It took the injection of science and innovation for Malaysia to have imported our oil palm and has, over the years, turned its innumerable value chain into a goldmine.
“Equally important, therefore, is the need for universities and industries partnership to boost the quality of research. The example of the TETFund Research and Development Standing Committee (RDSC), where academic and industry were remarkably blended, is a good reference for this partnership.
“Their recommendation for the establishment of National Research and Development Foundation (NRDF), remains a pace-setter and most desirable bold step to place our country in the right trajectory for the Knowledge Economy,” he said.
He emphasised the need for universities to carry out services around their areas in order for them to be relevant in both the local and larger context.
“For universities to be relevant in both the local and larger contexts, they must be seen to undertake research and community service that address and solve problems and needs of the university community.
“The universities must strive to meet the needs and demands of the immediate community and the nation at large.
“In many cases, some community services also serve as avenues for additional income for the Faculty members, thus becoming a win-win situation for both the community and the lecturers.
“Unfortunately, this is one area that has not been explored enough to the benefit of universities and the community. There is a need to review the current status and relationship between universities and communities for both local and national interests.”
Bogoro commended President Bola Tinubu for paying four months out of the eight months of salaries owed lecturers in public universities due to strikes.
“President Tinubu, in his inaugural address, vowed to end the embarrassing cycle of ASUU strikes in our universities. He has just paid four months out of the eight months of withheld salaries of university lecturers in public universities.
“He has also commendably approved a Student Loan Scheme aimed at relieving students of indigent parents and also making available part of the loan to address the financial squeeze arising from non-payment of tuition fees in public universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education.
“With the recently increased annual budgetary allocation for the education sector, in addition to the increased Education Tax from 2.50 to 3.00 percent through TETFund, more funds are to be deployed to address non-budgetary funding intervention priorities for public tertiary institutions, being the justification for the establishment of TETFund ab-initio,” he said. (NAN)
To enhance effective education transformation in Kaduna State, the Rimi (St John’s) College, Kaduna old Boys Association has pledged to give all the necessary support for the growth and development of the school.
The National President of the association, Francis Ibrahim-Ogboro, stated this at the ongoing end-of-year Reunion holding in the school premises.
He said the objective of the reunion was to bring the old boys together so that they could support their alma mater.
“I have seen that the school needs our support apart from what the government is doing which is commendable.
“We all decided to come together having heard reports of what has happened to the school, we decided to come together to see how we can support the school.
“Our formative years were here. Wherever we are today, we give credit to our alma mater,” he said.
The president added that football matches were part of the activities marking the occasion which brought back memories of the good old days when they were in the school.
Similarly, Mr Michael Reis, the Chairman, Organising Committee of the reunion, who is also the National Vice President of the old boys association, said that the reunion was a special one.
He explained that the association had not done any activity in the school since 2009 and conventions were held in other states .
Reis said that things would change as the association had decided to continue having activities in the school in order to bring the students close to the old boys.
“There was a time girls from another secondary school came to occupy this place and we felt it that if we had been very active and on ground, the government would have asked for our opinion.
“Now that the school is back as Rimi College and the students are here; we will start showing our presence, we shall interact more with the students and staff of the school,” he said.
Lawal Sani, an old student who graduated in 1982, said that it was his first time attending the national reunion and was happy to meet his classmates, seniors and juniors.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the old students had dinner with the students with the young boys expressing their appreciation for the interaction.
The Head Boy of the school, Muhammad Bashir, said he was happy to see men old enough to be his grandfather playing football during the novelty match.
“I felt so inspired,” he said.
Bashir stated that he would want to become a Police officer in future and would make sure he was steadily in touch with his alma mater.
NAN reports that in the football match between teachers and the old boys, the old boys defeated the teachers 2-1.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa, a former Vice Chancellor, Abia State University, Uturu, has urged the National Assembly to revisit the report of the 2014 Constitutional Conference.
The academic said the report addressed most of the challenges of the country’s development.
Mkpa made the call in Abuja on Wednesday while delivering the keynote lecture of the 3rd annual public lecture series, induction and conferment of honorary doctorate degree of the African School of Diplomacy and International Relations (ASDIR).
The event with the theme “The Political Economy of Nation-Building: The World’s Unfinished Business’’ was organised in collaboration with Queen’s University Belfast, UK.
Some of the awardees include Her Regal Majesty, Olori Temitope Ogunwusi, wife of Ooni of Ife; Rev. Sam Oye, Lead Pastor, The Transformation Church (TTC) and Princess Chichi Ojei, 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
“That conference made landmark recommendations which, had they been implemented, could have accelerated the tempo of our nation-building efforts.’’
Mkpa said that the country could never be great while and nation-building would become a mirage if individuals were stronger than institutions.
According to him, the military coups in some African countries are the effect of unfinished business of nation-building in those countries and Nigerian leaders should use the 2014 Constitutional Conference report to normalise things.
“One of the most near-successful efforts in Nigerians history of nation-building, that would have arrested most if not all the stumbling blocks towards the nation’s unsteady match towards nation-building, was the national conference of 2014.
“The recommendation addressed the critical obstacles to nation building which include devolution of power, creation of state police, resource control, electoral reform, youth empowerment and fear of domination of any ethnic group.
“Others are reduction of cost of governance, transparency, fight against corruption, to inject and consolidate the ideal of nationhood into the psyche of Nigerians in the continuing effort towards nation-building.
“The conference resolved to reintroduce the old National Anthem which most of the conference attendees and indeed most Nigerians believe is more inspiring and generative of the much needed spirit of unity.
“It also enhances cooperation and harmony among the country’s disparate and multifarious ethnic nationalities,” Mkpa said.
He urged the NASS to exhume the report and ensure that President Bola Tinubu assented to it.
Rev. Sam Oye, who received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Global Leadership and Strategic Management at the event, urged leaders in the country to be selfless.
Rev. Sam Oye receiving his Honorary Doctorate Degree from Amb. Dr Tunji Asaolu, Deputy Secretary-General, African Affairs, International Society of Diplomats and Vice Chairman/CEO, African School of Diplomacy and International Relations (ASDIR)
Oye who is also the founder and Lead Pastor of The Transformation Church (TTC), Worldwide, blamed politicians for the various challenges encountered in the electoral system.
“No nation will develop if the leaders don’t listen to the people and the solution to Nigeria’s problems will come from Nigerians.
“Our leaders should stop playing God. It’s time for our leaders to start listening to the people.
“The answer to the problem in the Niger Delta is in Niger Delta, not in Abuja; the answer to the problem in Okirika in Rivers is in Okirika and not in Abuja.
“If we rejected colonisation, why should we submit ourselves now to Abuja ruling other parts of the country especially when elites without grassroots experience begin to make decisions over the lives of people who are on the ground, without visiting them.
“So, I think that the way forward in Nigeria is to sit down and talk with the people; if we talk with the people, we get answers to the problem from the people.
“Today also reminds us that in 2014, Nigerians sat down and came up with a document on the way forward for our country; we need to go back and listen to what we all agreed on and that is the way forward,” Oye said.
Earlier, Chairman of the occasion and Leader of the Nigerian Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, said that unity was usually the watch word of nations that had succeeded.
Bamidele, who was represented by Mrs Shade Adepeju-Joseph, Director, Diaspora and International Affairs, Office of the Leader of the Senate, urged leaders to always meditate on the second stanza of the Nigerian National Anthem.
He said that the challenges faced in the country would have been solved by more than half, if the leaders and their followers put into practice the wordings of the National Anthem. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Old students of Rimi (St. John’s) College, Kaduna are to hold a National Reunion from Dec. 1 – 3, 2023.
The reunion, which is to be held at the school premises, is expected to start with special prayers for the 74 years old school on Friday.
A programme of events lined up for the reunion, showed that two novelty football matches would be played same day.
The matches will be between the old students and teachers of the school.
The programme, signed by Mr Michael Reis, Chairman of the Organising Committee, also indicated that the old students would undertake a tour of their old school on Saturday.
Further details showed that a lecture would be delivered that Saturday by Alhaji Mansur Kabir, a former President of the old boys association and immediate past Registrar of the Surveyors Council of Nigeria.
Kabir is expected to speak on the topic: “The evolution of Rimi College”.
Also to feature at the reunion are cultural dances, comedian plays, a disco party and a gala night.
The programme futher showed that awards would be given to deserving members.
The reunion is expected to be rounded off with a Thanksgiving Service at the St. John’s Church, Kaduna, on Sunday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rimi College, Kaduna was established by the Catholic in 1949.
It took off on Jan. 31, 1949 with a population of 63 boys under the leadership of Rev. Fr. John O’hara.
It was renamed Government Secondary School, Kaduna after it was taken over by the North-Central Government in 1972.
It was later renamed Rimi College, Kaduna.
Among old students of Rimi College are late Supreme Court Judge, Justice Saka Ibiyeye, popular movie star, Pete Edochie, Sen. Danjuma Laah and Late Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru.
Other former students include Mr Emmanuel Toro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, former Kaduna State Governor, Sir Patrick Yakowa, Prof. Usman Mohammed of Baze University, Abuja, retired Col. Idris Zaria and Dr David Olusegun Oyedeji, foremost Veterinary Doctor.
Others are Mr James Magaji, former Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Mr Ladan Purdue, foremost educationist and first old student to be appointed as principal of the school, among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
By Priscilla Osaje
The Cooperation Attache, French Embassy in Nigeria, Regis Ketty, has urged Nigerians to play a collective role in combating and eradicating Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.
Ketty gave the advice on Tuesday, at the School Sensitisation Outreach to L.E.A Primary School, Jabi Kpadna, Abuja
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme titled “Uniting Boys/Men to Invest Against Gender-Based Violence”, was organised by the FAME Foundation in collaboration with the French Embassy.
Ketty said that School-based gender-based violence (SGBV) referred to any act or threat of sexual, physical or psychological violence occurring in and around schools.
According to her, this violence affects girls and boys. We must leave no one behind and everyone has a role to play in this work of eradicating GBV.
“It affects millions of children, families and communities in every country and transcends cultural, geographic and economic differences in societies.
“In Nigeria, 44 per cent of girls have experienced one or more forms of physical and sexual violence perpetrated by teachers and/or classmates.
“This violence has considerable consequences on the physical, mental, sexual and emotional well-being of the child. Sexual harassment in schools can harm students educational opportunities.
“The French Embassy is proud to support FAME Foundation in this project but also other NGOs across the country, particularly in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and North East States (Borno, Yobe and Adamawa),” cooperation attaché said.
She added that the initiative was part of a broader campaign supported by French diplomacy to support the fight against gender-based violence.
“France has led sustained action at the European and international levels and calls on all States to ratify and implement the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
“States should also ratify the Convention on Istanbul of the Council of Europe on preventing and combating violence against women,” she said.
In her remarks, the Executive Director of FAME Foundation, Mrs Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello, said that the event was organised to engage and empower boys and men in the fight against GBV through awareness and campaign during 2023 annual edition of the 16 Days of Activism.
According to her, it also aims to educate boys on the consequences, its repercussions, by providing a safe space for open discussion and empower them to become change agents.
Also speaking, Mr Mustapha Mubdiyu, a resource person, identified bullying, touching boy’s private part and threat to life as human rights violation.
According to him, these can be prevented when boys and men speak out by reporting abusive matters to either their parents, guardians or authorities in schools, churches and mosques.
Speaking on behalf of students, Joseph Ebube commended the organisers of the programme, saying that the programme would go a long way in making them stay safe and beware of Gender-Based Violence. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The British Council has called on the Federal Government to place a strong emphasis on inclusive education to address the needs of special children in the country.
The Director of Programmes, Chikodi Onyeremela, stressed the importance of equal opportunities during the Annual Inclusive Education Conference held in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Conference Theme is, “Fostering Inclusion and Equity in Education”.
Onyeremela highlighted that prioritising inclusive education would not only offer equal opportunities but also contribute to diversification and the pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He emphasised the global trend of deploying inclusive strategies in educational systems and urged the government to implement mechanisms ensuring the inclusion of disabilities in the educational framework.
Prof. Ismail Junaidu, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research Development Council (NERDC), emphasised the government’s responsibility to fulfill the fundamental rights of children’s education.
Junaidu called for the design of a curriculum that accommodates all children, especially those with special needs.
While acknowledging NERDC’s robust framework for special needs education, he stressed the need for immediate, holistic implementation.
Dr Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to inclusion and equality by signing and ratifying the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Article 24.
He emphasised the goal of achieving access to quality basic education for all school-age children, including those with disabilities, by 2030.
Sununu acknowledged existing challenges and outlined the ministry’s efforts in collaboration with relevant agencies and partners to establish a support system.
Lucy Pearson, the Country Director of the British Council, urged tiers of government to formulate inclusive policies and integrate them into the educational system.
Pearson emphasised the need for Nigeria to transform its educational system to create a conducive environment for individuals with special needs.
The conference, attended by stakeholders from the private sector, school owners, development partners, and civil society organisations, focused on addressing challenges and fostering inclusive education in the nation. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has conferred on Mr Gbenga Komolafe, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, the award of Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (D.SC) Honoris Causa.
The award was conferred at the just concluded 48th convocation ceremony held at the university on Saturday in Benin.
Among the honorees are the immediate past Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola and Mrs Betsy Obaseki, wife of Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo.
Other recipients include the Chief Operating Officer, Green Energy International Limited (GEIL), Mr Kayode Adegbulugbe and Chief Charles Owensuyi-Edosomwan, SAN, among others.
Shortly after the conferment, Komolafe thanked the management of UNIBEN for the honour, adding that the award was a call to more service to humanity
Komolafe said “the lesson from this award is that we all live in a society and that it shows that whatever that we do, the society is watching.
“And that we should strive to give our best to the nation, believing that the nation is watching so that our labour will not go unrecognised.
“Today my self and other honorees are appreciative of the University of Benin’s recognition of our various individual contributions to national development and we are poised to do more to this great nation.
According to him, the young ones should feel challenged by this to contribute their quota to national development, adding that their contributions would be recognised.
On his part, Babatunde Fashola charged the graduands to give back to the society as their degrees were a service to the society and the school.
“On behalf of the honorees, i pledge our commitment to the university of Benin,” he said.
Also, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lilian Salami, said the awardees made unique and outstanding contributions to the progress of the university and national development. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Balarabe Goronyo Foundation, an NGO, has donated 3,000 exercise books and 150 sets of uniforms to orphans and indigent students in the Sokoto.
Malam Junaidu Aliyu-Balarabe, a representative of the family expressed joy in giving back to society.
He stated that the foundation’s mission was to empower economically-disadvantaged students, enabling them to pursue education at all levels and become valuable contributors to both their own lives and the society.
Aliyu-Balarabe explained that the benevolent gesture was aimed at preventing poverty from hindering the education of indigent and vulnerable students.
“ Education is crucial for improving the socio-economic status of the citizens. Through this initiative, beneficiaries will be empowered to secure a bright future.
” Recognising that no nation can surpass the level of its educational system, our family is committed to supporting these students to get quality education.”
Aliyu-Balarabe said in addition to educational support, the foundation regularly conducts free medical outreaches for indigent patients in Sokoto and its surroundings.
“During these medical outreach programmes, the foundation not only provides free drugs and medical supplies, but also sponsors surgeries for patients with eye ailments.”
He appealed to other affluent individuals, families, and groups to emulate this gesture, thereby strengthening the education sector in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the recent distribution included school uniforms and educational items for less-privileged pupils.
The distribution focused on areas such as Kofar Bai, Galadanci, parts of Gidadawa and Kofar Rini, all in Sokoto metropolis. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
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While acknowledging NERDC’s robust framework for special needs education, he stressed the need for immediate, holistic implementation.
