The Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, on Tuesday reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government towards improving the quality of education in the country.
Sununu stated this while declaring open the 1st Annual National Conference of the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), in Kaduna.
The theme of the conference was; ” Re-directing the Focus of Education Stakeholders Towards Modern Process of Producing Competent, Dedicated and Professional Teachers in Nigeria.”
Represented by Mr Sani Adamu, his Personal Assistant, Sununu said the Federal Government had particular interest in teachers training and their continuous development of in the country.
The minister emphasised the need for each stakeholder in the educational sector to play a unique role to help increase support for educational activities.
“ This underscores the fact that team efforts help to achieve much and increase the chances of success in reaching set goals.
“ There are several entities who serve as stakeholders in education including; government at all levels, teachers, parents, students, community and others,” Sununu added.
The minister, however, commended NTI for organising the conference, saying that the theme is apt and timely.
”This underscores NTI’s steadfastness to the realisation of strategic goals of producing competent, dedicated and professional teachers in Nigeria as captured in the recently developed Educational Sector Roadmap 2024-2027.”
Earlier, Prof. Musa Garba-Maitafsir, Director and Chief Executive of NTI, said in collaboration with other stakeholders, it was determined to brace up with the challenge that bedeviled the educational sector.
He said the institute had in the last two years changed its style of operation to serve not just as an administrative but academic outfit.
“ Our focus now is on e-facilitation as we have now embarked on the training of our staff to be e-facilitators.
“ We have already implemented the e-facilitation programme in; Borno, Adamawa and Yobe where we have trained over 18,000 primary school teachers.”
Garba-Maitafsir, who described the stakeholders at the conference as the backbone of education, urged them to convince their governors on what should be done right.
According to him, when we do this, we are going to have change in 10 years to come.
“ We are determined to change the narrative of what is obtained today in the educational sector for the betterment of tomorrow,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Mr Bamidele Salam, Founder and President of Children of Africa Leadership and Values Development Initiative(CALDEV) has called for a strong national education system to address problems of out-of-school children.
Salam made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the four-day National Children’s Leadership conference to mark the 2023 Universal Children’s Day in Abuja.
The conference with theme:”Rebuilding Nigeria through investment in children’s education, welfare, and security’, and is meant to bring together hundreds of children from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory holds from Nov. 17 to Nov. 21.
Salam also said that a strong national education system will engender early learning, and innovations to extend education opportunities to the hardest-to-reach children and adolescents.
CALDEV, an NGO, teaches and mentor children and young adults on leadership and life values.
He said the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria was on the increase.
He noted that the welfare and security of citizens, especially the Nigerian child, cannot be guaranteed now or later, if the menace of out-of-school children is not addressed.
Salam also said the conference will focus on discussions and deliberations centred on identifying causes and making recommendations on how to tackle challenges facing the education, welfare and security of the Nigerian child.
“It is so unfortunate that Nigeria has the largest population of out-of-school children of primary school age and this is part of our discussions at this conference.
“We believe strongly that one of the ways through which we can tackle this problem is to raise children vanguard and children advocates who will talk to the conscience of parents and government.
“They will talk to everyone that has a duty to ensure that we gradually begin a process of reducing the number and eventually having a zero number of out- of- school children in Nigeria.
“So from here, we are going to be having more children who are acting as advocates to access education for their fellow children in every part of Nigeria.
“I believe that having this number of voices everywhere on the team will help us to address this emergency ,” he said.
He said the event was organised to provide a national convergence platform to give Nigerian Children the opportunity to express their God-given talents and innovative skills and give their suggestions in nation building.
He said young Nigerians who have displayed excellent feat in their careers will be given awards at the Conference.
Some Participants who spoke with NAN on the sideline of the
conference expressed delight on how the conference was shaping their mindsets.
Miss Adedolapo Ogunbayo said: “I have learnt that in life things do not just come easy, you have to make sacrifices, and also that winners never quit and quitters never win.”
Also, Joshua Agboola, a 14-year-old Programmer, who was nominated to receive an award at the conference , said : “ I am happy to be here and I think all children should be entitled to free education because it is very important for their future.
NAN reports that the conference has in attendance over 300 children between the ages of 12 and 17 from over 24 states of the federation.
It features leadership training,children parliamentary session, children’s dialogue on values, national unity and patriotism, as well as children’s financial literacy session.
Other highpoints include panel discussions, quiz competition, children’s films and books exhibitions, art exhibitions, books presentation and awards.(NAN) (nannews.com.ng)
The Chief Executive Officer, Gosima Group, Dr Gideon Osi, has called on government at all levels to make entrepreneurial studies compulsory in academic curriculum of tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
Osi made the call on Saturday at the investiture ceremony into the Governing Council of the board of Havilla University in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Osi was inducted into the council of Havilla University, Cross River State, by its founder and chancellor, Mr Jones Tangban.
Osi said that making entrepreneurship studies a compulsory component of all courses of studies in tertiary institutions would inspire undergraduates to seek to become creators and not seekers of job on graduation from school.
According to him, government alone cannot create jobs for teeming Nigerian youths. They need to become self-reliant by acquiring entrepreneurial skills that are relevant to their course of study while still in school.
“Entrepreneurship is one of the fundamental support base of every society that will succeed, so we must build a institutions that will have an entrepreneur mindset in students from the day of resumption.
“Every students should understand that what they are studying have an entrepreneurial components. So, if you are reading any course, you must ask yourself what is your place in the market place .
“From the beginning, students should be aligned with mentors they can link up with, so that during holidays they do not just go home to waste time on their phones and social media.
“So when they go home they link up with their mentors and they spend holidays with companies so they will prepare their minds on their place in the labour market and what they want to become.
“So, we imbibe in them attributes of entrepreneurs, the ability to take calculated risk, ability to make sacrifices, ability to build something from nothing.
“University must have a council that will ensure this is carried out so that at the end of the day we will have graduates that create jobs and not job seekers,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to the leadership of Havilla University for considering him worthy to serve in its Governing Council.
He pledged to use his wealth of experience as a seasoned entrepreneur and a leader as contributions to repositioning the institution as a council member.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Havilla University, Prof Adewale Banjo, congratulated Osi as the a new member of council.
He said he was happy and willing to work with members of the governing council in building the university.
“Based on your antecedents, you have shown competence and character.
So, we strongly believe that your wealth of experience and character will be significantly felt in Havilla University,” he said. (NAN) (nannews.com.ng)
Prof. Muhammad Muftahu of the Kaduna State University (KASU), Department of Educational Foundation, Faculty of Education, has advocated the recognition of higher education as a field of study and professional practice in Nigeria.
Muftahu, a Professor of Higher Education, made the call on Tuesday at KASU’s 12th professorial inaugural lecture, with the title Institutionalising higher education as a field of study and professional practice in Nigeria’.
He said that in spite of being the largest in Africa, with millions of students, the Nigerian higher education system still suffered from acute scarcity or complete lack of ‘HEPROs’.
He explained,” HEPROs are a group of highly qualified personnel in Higher Education Institutions who support the academic and administrative systems and procedures in the institutions.”
He added that planning, management, budgeting, financial management, staff development, public relations, institutional research, report writing, counselling, and collaborations with individuals and organisations outside of universities were among the duties of the HEPROs.
Muftahu, therefore, said that HEPROs primary responsibility was to oversee and manage the university’s organisation and various functions.
According to Muftahu, a country’s overall development is dependent on the strength of its higher education system, which is heavily reliant on the presence and contributions of the HEPROs.
“The development of HEPROs is important to the management and quality of higher education.
“In Malaysia, the Ministry of Higher Education established an academy named Higher Education Leadership Academy.
“Its aim is to provide leadership development for the top and mid-level management of Malaysia’s higher education Institutions and further to develop and strengthen the leadership of Malaysia’s higher education,” he said.
He, therefore, lamented that there was no such kind of public academy to support HEPROs learning and training activities in higher education Institutions in Nigeria.
“Also, there is a public academy or body providing training to HEPROs in the practical skills of higher education,” the don added.
Muftahu, however, said that the inaugural lecture aimed not to discredit the government’s efforts in restructuring Nigeria’s higher education system, adding, “nor does it seek to instantaneously transform its ecosystem.”
He said that it was intended to create an awareness among the stakeholders to understand that developing a workable higher education system as well as
understanding its problems and challenges required the scholarship and expertise of trained higher education professionals,
“One of the mechanisms for building such experts and professionals for a nation requires the recognition and institutionalisation of higher education as a field study and professional practise,” he said.
Muftahu recommended the institutionalisation of higher education professional practice in Nigeria.
He said, “It is important for the government to initiate a framework or policies to continuously support higher education development and involving HEPROs training and development.”
He also urged the Ministries of Education in Nigeria to consider establishing public academies or institutions akin to that of Malaysia with a primary focus on providing specialized training and development for HEPROs.
“Every higher education Institution in Nigeria must implement a professional training system and provide opportunities for HEPROs to receive training,” he said.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of KASU, Prof Abdullahi Musa, described the inaugural lecturer’s recommendations as key to higher institutions’ growth and productivity.
“Immediately after the inaugural lecture, I will discuss with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics and Registrar where we will form a committee with the inaugural lecturer as Chairman.
“This is to ensure that KASU is the first university to come up with higher education as a field of study,” he said.
Musa added that they would also form another committee to be chaired by the inaugural lecturer to ensure KASU was one of the institutions in Nigeria to have a cadre for higher education.
“We will do this through partnership with the state’s Head of Service and office of the Secretary to the State Government and Ministry of Education,” Musa said.
Speaking further, the V-C said, “one basic principle in KASU is that we don’t always see problems as challenges.
“We look at problems as an opportunity to do the right things. At least three Professors will be picked to make presentations every quarter in the institution.” (NAN)
Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa has urged the Nigeria National Committee (NNC) of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to intensify efforts to curb the incidence of examination malpractice.
Sule spoke at the council’s 61st annual meeting of the NNC of WAEC, on Thursday, in Lafia.
He said that the body must not to rest on its oars, in evolving strategies and initiatives that would drastically reduce such malpractice.
According to him, examination malpractice has been a major challenge bedevilling the education sector and must be tackled as quickly as possible, to safeguard the future of children and the nation in general.
“Education will forever remain the best legacy to bequeath to the children and youth of Nasarawa State especially, as well as the only veritable tool of socio-economic development of the state and nation at large.
“I am indeed happy to note that despite the myriad of challenges plaguing the education sector in Nigeria, the council has remained a symbol of success in the promotion of quality education.
“It has also remained a symbol of success in regional cooperation among the English-speaking countries of the sub-region.
“Indeed, our administration has been striving hard to put in place a proper and sustainable foundation for the education sector, by providing qualitative and affordable education to the youth and accommodating the challenges faced by children with special needs in our state,” he said.
The governor stated that his administration would continue to provide an enabling environment for education to thrive, for children in both primary and secondary schools in the state.
He urged parents to participate in the educational development of their wards.
“Having said this, I wish you to also permit me to seize this opportunity to congratulate the management and staff of WAEC on the commissioning of its ultra-modern WAEC Lafia Office Complex.
“It gladdens my heart that the parcel of land my administration bequeathed to the council in 2019 now houses a tastefully built state-of-the-art edifice.
“Similarly, I congratulate the council on the plan of migrating WASSCE for (Private Candidates) to Computer-Based Testing (CBT).
“I am also pleased that your organisation has stood firm for 71 solid years and has continued to evolve in many ways, providing leadership in educational assessment..
“I commend this excellent organisation for its 71 years of exceptional service to the African child and its dedication to developing education in the sub-region,” he said.
According to him, the education sector in the state has experienced a robust improvement in funding, teacher empowerment and equipping learning institutions/facilities.
He added that at inception, one of his administration’s visions was to improve the deteriorating standard of education in the state by turning it into a hub for learning.
The governor noted that he also looked forward to ensuring globally competitive model learning centres and empowering the youth through job and wealth creation.
“The education sector in the state in the past four years has received far above the required 26 per cent yearly budgetary provision as enshrined in the UN/SDGs recommendations without prejudice.
“Apart from building and renovating structures and employing-staff in the state-owned tertiary institutions, there has also been a deliberate effort on the part of government to encourage residents to acquire higher education through scholarship and bursary schemes,” he stated.
In his welcome address, Dr Amos Josiah Dangut, Head of National Office (HNO) reiterated council’s plans to migrate its West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates, from the ‘Paper Pencil Test’ to the Computer Based Test (CBT) mode, come February 2024.
According to him, the development is in line with global best practices.
“The innovation will commence with WASSCE for Private Candidates, 2024 , First Series, which is slated to hold in February.
“While the objective tests will be fully computer based, the essay and Test of Practical papers, will be hybrid, in which the examination questions will be delivered on screen.
“Accordingly, candidates will be required to write answers on the answer booklets given to them,” he said.
The HNO reassured of the council’s commitment to continue to deliver its mandate of being Africa’s foremost examination body, adding value to the educational goals its stakeholders,
In her opening remarks, the Chairman of the NNC, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir said the council had grown in leaps and bounds over the 71 years of its existence, with ground breaking achievements.
According to her, being a technologically driven examining body, it has continued to evolve in this regard, as it ensures that its services are easily accessible to all.
“The WAEC Request Management Portal and CHATBOT is one of the innovations that the Council has put in place.
It is a real-time online self-service portal that has drastically reduced the physical presence of candidates and the general public at the council’s offices in Nigeria.
“The system allows candidates and the general public to interact with WAEC from the comfort of their homes and access its services without compromising safety measures, among other achievements,” she said.
The chairman said that through combined and dogged efforts of all the stakeholders, the council in Nigeria had
been able to regularise and stabilise the conduct of WASSCE for School Candidates in its normal examination season of May/June successfully.
She noted that WAEC had further strengthened its efforts aimed at combating examination malpractice by synergising with various security agencies.
According to her, these agencies have been assisting with their logistics and intelligence, that has continually led to the arrest of some erring supervisors , invigilators, teachers and students.
The high point of the ceremony was the presentation of the WAEC Endowment Fund Book Prize to the three best schools in the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2022 in Nasarawa.
The endowment fund book prize is to the tune of 5,000 dollars.
Similarly, Miss Chioma Obidigbo from St Paul’s Academy Plateau in Jos, emerged the first prize winner of the National Distinction/Merit award for school candidates 2022.
Obidigbo,who was represented by her parents at the ceremony, scored 8As and is currently studying Biological Sciences at Furman University in the U.S. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Some researchers have expressed concern over the poor funding of the National Mathematical Centre (NMC) and called for more funds to be allocated to it.
They spoke at the closing ceremony of a research oriented course in “Modern Aspects of Theoretical Physics and Applications to Physical Problem” on Thursday at Sheda, Kwali Area Council.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two weeks programme was organised by NMC for postgraduate students and researchers from several tertiary institutions across the country.
Mr Imrama Habibat, one of the participants, said adequate funding for research and educational institutions in the field of theoretical physics could address resource constraints and support innovative projects.
Habibat said that the two weeks programme on research oriented course might not have provided the participants with sufficient depth of knowledge considering the vastness of the field.
He called on the Federal Government and other donor agencies to support the Centre for its optimal performance.
“The lack of the capacity to award certification and degree like postgraduate is a minus to the mandate of NMC and for such impactful programme.
“Insufficient infrastructure like power supply, computing facilities among others is also a challenge that needs urgent and adequate attention in NMC,” he said.
Mr Egboli Thomas, another participant, appreciated the organiser of the programme, saying that the knowledge gained would help him in further research projects.
According to him, the workshop equips the participants with the necessary skills, knowledge and tools to conduct effective research to further express theoretical ideas in order to proffer solutions to real World problems.
Earlier, the acting Coordinator of Theoretical Physics Programme, NMC, Dr Lewis Obagboye, said the aim of the training was to primarily enhance the research skills of postgraduate students and lecturers of physics to address modern challenges in the field.
Obagboye said it was in line with centre’s mandate and commitment to empower physicists and other researchers in related fields with the essential skills and knowledge for conducting effective and efficient research in the modern aspect of theoretical physics.
“When we talk about theoretical physics, it has to do with a framework that drives the experimental aspect of physics.
“For instance, most of the things you see today like the phones we use were initially theorised and the experimentalists carried out their findings and brought these things to work.
“So the physicists and mathematicians feed the experimentalists, the engineers of what to do,” he said.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive, NMC, Prof. Promise Mebine, said there was need to convert NMC to Centre to National University of Mathematical Sciences, saying that “everything around us is mathematics”.
Mebine said that the centre was about 35 years old, and for it to fulfill its mandate effectively, it had to be converted to the National University of Mathematical Sciences.
“We don’t want to run undergraduates programmes but postgraduate degree programmes, Master’s degree programmes and PhD programmes,” he said.
He explained that the programmes would be in the five programmes of the centre namely- Mathematics, Computer Science, Theoretical Physics, Statistics and Mathematical Sciences Education.
Mebine, therefore, urged the participants to keep on putting the knowledge gained into practice, while urging parents to encourage their wards or children in the study of Mathematics. (NAN)(www.nannews.com.ng)
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.
L-R: Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, Board Chairman, ARUA, Prof. Folashade Ogunsola, Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos; Mr Tolani Sule, Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education; Prof Ernest Aryeetey, Secretary-General, ARUA; Prof Grace Otinwa Chairperson, Local Organising Committee, ARUA; Prof Adam Habib, Director, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
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)
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)
A cross-section of students of Adedokun International Schools who won laurels prices from various external competitions
By Ige Adekunle
Dr Mike Fatukasi, Principal, Adedokun International Schools, has emphasised the importance of celebrating academic excellence in Nigeria as a means to achieve national development.
Fatukasi gave the advice during the celebration of Icons and award winning students of the school on Monday in Ijoko, Ogun.
He also emphasised the need to acknowledge and appreciate the achievements of students who had consistently excelled in external competitions.
“We are gathered here today to celebrate success of our children who have been representing us and winning laurels in various external competitions.
“Some of the external competitions are Science Teachers Association of Nigeria competition (STAN), Mathematics Association of Nigeria (MAN), Cowbelldia, Our Generation Foundation Mathematics competition (OGF).
“Others are Interswitch Mathematics Competition, Adekunle Science Competition, Prof. Wole Soyinka Competition, Ogun State and Government Essay Competition among others,” he said.
The educationist highlighted the vital role that parents play in the growth and development of the school.
Fatukasi expressed gratitude for their continuous support and for entrusting their children, friends, and family members to the school over the years.
He said that academic excellence should be granted to students whose performances demonstrate remarkable consistency and outstanding achievements.
According to him, this holds great value in shaping the state and society at large.
“The nation needs to encourage and celebrate academic excellence, which is of greater value to birth the state and the society in general.
“It is only in Nigeria that we don’t appreciate academic excellence,” he said.
The principal also said that education remained fundamental to achieving sustainable national development and called for increased investment in the sector.
He condemned the tendency to prioritise and celebrate entertainment competitions, while overlooking academic excellence, describing such step as ” a great significance for the nation’s progress”.
Fatukasi noted that celebrating academic achievements would foster healthy competition among students and enhance their intellectual capacity, ultimately contributing to national development.
In her remark, Alhaja Romoke Adedokun, the school’s proprietress, thanked the students for making the school proud by winning laurels prices from various external competitions.
Adedokun also commended the parents for their contributions to the school’s development.
She applauded the teachers for their dedication, commitment, and cooperation in providing quality education and training to the students.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 40 students and 16 parents were recognised and celebrated by the management of Adedokun International Schools.
The students were given special identify cards, certificates, customised T-shirts and caps as well as plaques.
The students also displayed cultural dances in Yoruba, Ibo and Hausa, to entertain the guests at the event. (NAN)
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
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