By Grace Alegba

 Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Board Chairman, African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) says the continent needs more researchers to tackle the issue of poverty and other challenges facing its people.

Nawangwe, also the Vice Chancellor, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, stated this at the opening of the 4th International biennial conference of the ARUA, on Wednesday in Lagos.

The theme of the three-day conference is: ‘Re-imagining the Future of Higher Education in Africa.’

According to him, universities in Africa must also move fast and intentionally to be able to liberate the continent from the shackles of multifaceted challenges, occasioned by lack of quality education.

“As Africans, we need to increase the number of researchers in Africa, as that is the only sure way we will solve Africa’s problem of abject poverty and other challenges.

“I want to start my remarks with two quotations from Africa’s great sons, one of whom is Mwalimu Nyerere, who said that ‘While the rest of the world may walk, Africa must run.’

“The second quotation is from Nelson Mandela who said ‘Education is the best way of transforming society.’

“Indeed, we do believe that education is the best way through which we will transform Africa.

“Africa has gone through a number of setbacks.

“To me, the biggest one was the wrong advice given to African governments by the world bank which claimed that higher education is a private good and that African countries need not invest in higher education.

“African universities and scholars, have now multiplied from about 200 universities to over 2,500 universities in two decades, and the number is increasing. This is a good sign for Africa.

“But that is still much smaller than the number of universities in China which has the same population with Africa,” he said.

He stated that, in all, ARUA had become the most vibrant organisation of universities in Africa in the last three years and, therefore, should be able to lead the much needed transformation of the continent.

The don explained that one of the biggest challenges also facing the continent was that of population growth.

According to him, the population of the rest of world is declining, while that of Africa is rising.

“So, there are questions which emerge. How will we feed that population? How shall we make sure that the population is healthy? How shall we ensure that the conflicts that seem not to leave Africa actually diminish even with that increasing population?

“Those are pertinent questions we have to ask. Whatever you researchers are doing, you should always remember you are making a contribution to reducing the poverty in Africa.

“You are also making Africa more stable and making the lives of our people more meaningful,” he said.

He said he was particularly happy that most of these researchers were young people and that was a good sign for Africa.

“That gives confidence that our universities and researchers will lead the transformation that we all desire.

“I want to encourage all of you as you do your work to always remember the pressing issues for Africa.

“I am happy that ARUA has brought together the best minds in Africa, to try and solve these problems.

“I am happy that the centres of excellence we created are beginning to show relevance and becoming vibrant melting points of knowledge creation,” he said.

Prof. Adam Habib, Director, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, in his keynote address, said there was the need for the development of a human resource base and an institutional higher educational infrastructure.

According to him, this will require a new form of equitable partnerships between universities in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America.

“It is the inequality in our world that drives students mobility far more than the research intensity of the universities of the North.

“And should we as leaders of higher education not be advocating against this model of university and this political economy of our education, because of the negative consequences it has on the institutional architecture of the global academy?

“I have become aware and want to highlight our global challenges and our collective responsibility as higher education leaders in different parts of the world.

“We need to build a knowledge base and professional cohorts, needed to manage both our national development needs and contemporary transnational historical burdens of our time.

“It is also worth noting that ARUA and the Guild of European Universities are pioneering a wide range of doctoral and research partnerships.

“ARUA itself also has several other pan-African research and teaching partnerships. We are in a far better place than we were five years ago.

“But I fear that these initiatives are still at the margins of our normal operations and we are proceeding at a pace that is too slow for the challenges that we confront,” he said.

In her welcome address, Prof. Folashade Ogunsola, vice chancellor, University of Lagos, said Africa had the capability to realise her full potential in development, culture and peace and to establish flourishing, inclusive and prosperous societies.

She noted that there was the confidence that Africa had what was required to transform the continent for good.

“We thus commit to act together toward achieving a prosperous Africa, based on inclusive growth and sustainable development.

“We also aspire for an integrated continent, politically united and based on the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the vision of Africa’s renaissance, among many others,” she said.

Ogunsola noted that over the years, the ARUA had been at the forefront of redirecting the collective thinking toward intentionally addressing the existential crisis that bedeviled the people of Africa.

According to her, the university of Lagos aligns with this goal and its research and development culture prioritises addressing urgent societal challenges, particularly within the framework of global agreements, while pursuing an overarching agenda to be a ‘future ready’ university.

“The truth is that if Africa is going to change, it must start from the mind.

“According to Achille Mbembe (2016) ’We cannot keep teaching the way we have always taught.’ A number of our institutions are teaching obsolete forms of knowledge with obsolete pedagogies.

“In order to set our institutions firmly on the path of future knowledge, we need to reinvent a classroom without walls in which we are all co-learners; a university that is capable of convening various publics in new forms of assemblies that become points of convergence of and platforms for the redistribution of different kinds of knowledge.

“It is, therefore, my firm belief that universities have both educational and social functions.

“Knowledge institutions have critical roles to play in convening evidence gathering across disciplines and dissemination across sectors, horizon scanning clarifying and defining boundaries for emerging technologies and new areas of inquiry.

“They must also raise awareness through teaching and advocacy, alongside stakeholders, policy makers and the public.

“Universities are the place where a desired future can be imagined.

“Our business today is to imagine a desired future for Africa and going beyond that, to establish the steps required to produce a new generation of African thinkers and doers that can take us to this desired future,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ARUA comprises 17 prominent research institutions across 10 African countries, including the host of the conference, university of Lagos. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

GA/CCN/SA

Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu/Salif Atojoko

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) has revealed its strategic initiative to construct local technical institutes throughout the nation.

The primary objective is to empower the youth with essential skills crucial for the advancement of the country.

During the commission’s inaugural news conference on repositioning senior secondary education held in Abuja, Dr Iyela Ajayi, the Executive Secretary, emphasised the necessity of these institutes.

He underscored the urgent need for improved workshops in technical schools nationwide.

“The state of workshops in our technical schools is an area we are going to address next year. Senior secondary school is pivotal for skills acquisition, with our curriculum offering around 34 trades.

“However, many schools lack equipped workshops and adequately trained staff.”

Speaking on funding, Ajayi explained that the primary financial support for senior secondary education comes from two percent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).

He said in spite of not receiving funding in its two years of existence, the commission appealed to the Federal Government for the timely release of funds in 2024.

Acknowledging the challenges, he stated, “Over 80 percent of the 5.2 million senior secondary schools in the country are not under the control of the commission. Hence, collaboration with state governors is crucial to rejuvenate these schools.”

Ajayi emphasised the commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability, citing a prepared document outlining guidelines for accessing, disbursing, and utilizing the FGN/NSSEC intervention fund.

He urged the government to release the allocated two percent of the CRF to initiate vital improvements.

Responding to concerns about the adequacy of the two percent given the economic challenges, Ajayi said the commission would start from somewhere.

“Government has competing demands, we cannot ask the government to give us all the money.

”If government is giving us 10 per cent for example, what will happen to health, road, and other areas crying for government interventions.

”What we want government to do is to give us this two per cent and may be later on when the economy is good we can now demand for more,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Franca Ofili

An NGO, Advocacy for Positive Behavioural Patterns Initiative says in a rapidly changing world, the future of any nation lies in the hands of its youths.

Mr Ayo Olutekunbi, Executive Director of the initiative said in a statement on Sunday in Abuja that there was an urgent need to address the issue and calls upon the government to take action.

“These young minds are the architects of tomorrow, and their education plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of our society.

” Unfortunately, Nigeria faces a significant challenge with a large number of out-of-school children.

“The repercussions of neglecting these children’s education can lead to them becoming a societal nuisance, jeopardizing Nigeria’s standing in the global community.

According to him, Nigeria, with its rich cultural heritage and abundant human resources, should be poised for greatness on the global stage.

Olutekunbi, however, said that the staggering number of out-of-school children in the country was a cause for concern.

He said, “These children, who are not receiving a formal education, are often left to fend for themselves, robbing them of the opportunities to develop essential life skills and knowledge.

“The reasons for the situation are multifaceted and include economic constraints, cultural norms, and security challenges in certain regions.

“The consequences of having a large population of out-of-school children are not only detrimental to their own future but also pose a threat to society at large.

“When these children are not given access to quality education and skills development, they are more likely to end up engaging in activities that can be harmful to the community.”

Olutekunbi said that such harmful activities can include involvement in criminal activities, social unrest, and a cycle of poverty that perpetuates itself from one generation to the next.

According to him, financial support by the government should increase its budget allocation for education, with a specific focus on providing scholarships, grants, and financial aid to children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

He said that such would help to remove economic barriers to education.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA), has sought stakeholders’ support to reposition all the 110 Federal Government Colleges across the nation.

The President General of USOSA, Michael Magaji, made the call at the 40th Plenary and Annual General Meeting in Abuja which also featured award night of the association.

He said it would be an opportunity for sustainable transformation in the country’s education system, with the theme, “The journey to nationhood-50 years Unity Schools.”

Magaji said that all hands must be on deck to promote qualitative education in the country rather than leaving education for only government to handle.

He also called on President Bola Tinubu to make basic and secondary education funding a priority for national development.

“It is remarkable to note that long before the United Nations started its SDG programmes, the Nigerian Government understood the importance of mainstreaming gender as a key element and tool for public education and national development.

“This is instructive and highly commendable.

“Our country is still a work in progress with challenges in managing and accepting our diversity. USOSANS however remains the true children of Nigeria.

“We stand and believe in one Nigeria for all and with all.

“We call on our governments to embrace and promote this spirit and provide an inclusive playing field where all Nigerians irrespective of background can thrive and feel a true sense of Nigerians.

“We thank the Federal Ministry of Education and its agencies for actively listening and collaborating with us in our march towards improved public education.

“Let me also call on President Bola Tinubu to make basic and secondary education funding a priority for national development,” he said.

In his keynote address, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Landmark Group, Mr Paul Onwuanibe, said that an association like USOSA had a role in building the future of the next generation.

He, therefore, said that the association must stand for what was right to give education a facelift in the country.

Also, the National President, Federal Government Girls College Old Girls’ Association (FGGCOGA), Abuloma,  Rivers State, Itoro Clement-Isong, lamented that the essence of establishing unity schools had been lost due to insecurity challenges across the country.

“ I think, first and foremost, apart from the fact that the unity school standards have dropped from what it used to be, it’s also the present situation of the country’s insecurity that as a parent, you’re less likely to send your child far from home.

“This is because you’re wondering, can I control the things that will happen to the child? Unlike before, your father will drop you at the motor pack, you’re off.

“Today, because of the insecurity in the country, children tend to school closer.

“When we solve insecurity challenges in Nigeria, I think you’ll find students moving across states for studies because it’s actually a very pleasant idea,” she added. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

The Ahman Pategi University (APU), Patigi, Kwara State, has collaborated with the National Universities Commission (NUC) on commencement of Faculty of Education.

This is contained in a statement signed by Alhaji Hammed Olufadi, the Registrar of the University, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday.

Olufadi said the collaboration would help to facilitate a seamless commencement of the Faculty of Education University.

He said that N15.70 million had been disbursed to the NUC as the mandatory fee for the Resource Assessment Visit to new academic programmes.

“This strategic move aims to enable the university to admit students aspiring to pursue these courses, filling the void left by the unavailability of such programs or limited space in other institutions.

“This initiative supplements the existing array of courses offered at APU, where students are currently enrolled in diverse programmes including, English, Accounting, Computer Science and Cyber Security.

“Others includes Economics, Entrepreneurship, Forensic Science Taxation, Industrial Chemistry and International Relations among others.

Olufadi further stated that the newly introduced programmes, slated for Resource Assessment and subsequent admission, within the Faculty of Education, are (Ed) Biology, (Ed) Chemistry, (Ed) Physics, (Ed) Economics and (Ed) English.

He listed others to include B.Ed. Guidance and Counselling, B.Ed. Education Management, B.Ed. Business Education and B.Ed. Special Education.

According to him, this strategic move aligns with the APU commitment to expanding academic opportunities and providing a platform for aspiring educators and professionals in the field of education.

“It further strengthens the institution’s resolve to contribute significantly to the educational development of its region and beyond.

“In addition to the Faculty of Education, other faculties earmarked for Resource Assessment include the Faculty of Humanity, Social and Management Sciences, and the Faculty of Science and Computing.

“These faculties will potentially introduce programs such as; Faculty of Humanity, Social and Management Sciences, including B.Sc. History and Diplomatic Studies, B.Sc. Business Administration, B.Sc. Sociology and Criminology.

“Also Faculty of Science and Computing, including B.Sc. Geology and Mineral Sciences, B.Sc. Biochemistry, and B.Sc. Chemistry,” he said.

Olufadi observed that the establishment of the Faculty of Education represents a milestone in the institution’s journey towards academic excellence and inclusivity.

According to him, it reflects a forward-looking approach to addressing the educational needs of the community and creating a conducive environment for learning, research, and personal development.

He stated that as APU continues to evolve, this latest development marks a promising chapter in its mission to be a hub of knowledge, innovation, and academic distinction in Kwara State and beyond.

“The university looks forward to welcoming aspiring educators and students to the Faculty of Education, where they can embark on a journey of intellectual growth and contribute meaningfully to the future of education.

“This remarkable achievement, marked by the provision of requisite funds, reflects the founder’s commitment to increasing student enrollment and expanding access to education within our community,” he said.

He enjoined parents and stakeholders to join the institution in its commitment to raise the next generation of graduates who will transform the world with the high-quality education that the university offers at affordable rates. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

Twenty-year-old, Morenikeji Adebanjo, from Ogun State has emerged the overall best student at the 10th Convocation Ceremony of Baze University.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adebanjo, a graduate of Law, came overall best with the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.81 on a scale of 4.0, from the 388 undergraduate candidates.

Speaking during the convocation ceremony of the institution in Abuja on Saturday, Adebanjo attributed her success to collective efforts of her lecturers, families and the institution.

Adebanjo, while promising to be a helpful member of the society through mentorship, said this was the only way to give back to the school and the society at large.

“A lot actually inspired me, first is God, second my family and this achievement is not an individual achievement but a collective achievement through Baze University.

“My lecturers also were of great help to me. Sometimes going to meet them for extra explanation and taking the time to really understand, I appreciate their efforts. It was a collective effort.

“I will try to be a helpful member of the society in any way I can. I intend to help first the undergraduates, give them some advice on how to succeed as well as using law as an instrument of change,” she said.

Also, Oseloka Zikora, a Mass Communication student, came overall best with 5.0 CGPA on a scale of 5.0 in the Masters programme among 225 candidates.

In an address, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Kathleen Okafor, said the university had recorded a notable milestone, including growing academic programmes from 72 in 2022 to 102.

Okafor said this comprised 43 undergraduate courses, 41 post-graduate (PGD and MSc) programmes and 18 PhD programmes.

She said that the convocation was also to honour two Nigerians, late Justice Mohammed Bello with the Honorary Doctor of Letters, and late Mrs Maryam Babangida, with an Honorary Doctor of Science degree.

“Today, we present a list of 613 graduands, 388 at Undergraduate level and 225 at Postgraduate (Masters Degrees) level.

“To us, the pleasure of producing another set of excellent intellectuals for the nation and the international community is limitless. We return all glory to the Almighty God who has made this possible.”

The acting vice-chancellor also said that women must participate to be in the quest for economic regeneration as well as engage in the family and national resources for fairness, equity and justice.

She said that universities must henceforth impact education that is relevant and ethical, combating genocides and poverty, blatant breaches of the rule of law.

“The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and World Bank research reports show that exposure of women to economic activities shot productively from about 17 per cent to 37 per cent within two years.

“Women must be in this quest for economic regeneration, they must participate, they must collaborate and engage in the family and national resources for fairness, equity and justice .Them can be no peace without justice,” she said.

She, therefore, advised the graduating students to pursue self development in their specialised discipline and as well join relevant professional associations to sharpen their digital skills.

She said this was necessary because with the age of digital innovation and entrepreneurship, they would be well equipped to face the exigencies of work places.

Another graduating student, Roosevelt Ken-Ebeku, encouraged the graduands to share and inculcate the values and lesson learnt from the school to the society at large.

Ken-Ebeku, also the Student Union Government (SUG) President of the institution, commended the institution’s management for the numerous social activities the school offered.

He said that the 10th convocation was the first of its kind the institution had witnessed. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

By Chinyere Nwachukwu

The Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Folashade Ogunsola, says challenges facing the country are surmountable, if the youth are given more support in the technology space.

Ogunsola made the assertion at the 2023 STAC Reform conference organised by the KB Club of the institution’s College of Medicine on Thursday, in Lagos, with the theme: Transforming Healthcare through Financial Technology.

The club is a medical socio philanthropic organisation of medical students of the university founded in 1969 by a group headed by Prof. Oladapo Ashiru, one of the club’s grand patrons.

The club operates on a tripod of philanthropy, academic excellence and social empowerment.

According to the vice chancellor, today’s youth are more technology savvy and own the future, and there can be no future without the youth.

She said that such spirit was needed in the search for solutions to the numerous challenges facing the various sectors of the country’s economy.

Ogunsola noted that the healthcare and the education sectors were two key sectors that could open the door to development, adding that finding solutions to their accessibility, using technology, was critical and involved bright and active youths.

The don stated that members of the KB club had always come up with topical issues that would impact the society each time they organised their event.

She commended them on ways they went about it, in ensuring that they yielded the much desired results.

“Today’s event is all about entrepreneurship and impacting the society. It is also a STACK reform, that started about five years ago.

“This particular one is about using financial technology to transform healthcare. It has to do with series of events such as speech competition by secondary schools, elevated pitching by university students and essay competition about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and transforming healthcare.

“Let me say I am proud to be here because the KB club and the students are always pushing boundaries. They are always topical, seeking solutions to societal challenges.

“One thing they are always after, is about development and improvement. I think they are the kind of students we look forward to having and who are role models.

“This is because they see these challenges and rather than complain, they go about in search of solutions. So, essentially, they are the kind of students, who, when given lemon, they make lemonade,” Ogunsola said.

According to her, she has been their matron for about four years and knows what they are capable of doing.

Describing members of the club as always neat, polite and cautious, she stated that the students, who are also intelligent, usually go through the grooming of the club’s discipline skills while in medical school.

“They usually look impeccable, polite and must also be doing well academically. This is the first time they are bringing this event here on campus. It is usually held at the College of Medicine.

“We are looking forward to a robust communiqué at the end of this programme. One of the things for me is all about technology. They are more technology savvy than we are.

“Where we stand is a bit far. They are closer to that future. So, I am hoping that by the time they are through, we will get done understanding of their perspective, and hopefully, we can incorporate it into what we do,” she said.

Mr Olusola Okunsanya, Vice President of the club at the college of medicine, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the event that the STACK campaign was all about enlightenment.

Okunsanya who is also a final year student of the college, said that the essence of the conference was to see how advancement in financial technology could revolutionise healthcare delivery and practice in the country and the world at large.

He said that healthcare professionals, students and stakeholders in the fintech space were among those participating at the conference.

“It is a conference for students, entrepreneurs, growth professionals and policy makers to examine the latest trends and tactics in driving healthcare growth in Nigeria.

“The whole essence is to come together and discuss, exchange ideas on how advancement in fintech could revolutionise the healthcare sector,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle