By Muhammad Nasir

Prof. Lawal Bilbis, the Vice-Chancellor, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, has tasked new students of the institution to perform optimally for their better future.

Bilbis gave the task in his address at the university’s 43rd matriculation ceremony for the 2022/2023 newly admitted Undergraduate and Postgraduate students in Sokoto on Wednesday.

He reminded the matriculants that the hopes of their families and the society are with them.

“The University expects you to justify the confidence reposed in you by your parents and sponsors.

“They are making enormous investment in your education with the hope that you will ultimately graduate and be useful to yourselves, your community and the larger society,” he said.

He urged them to be mindful that dedication to the values of scholarship and hard work are prerequisite.

“Therefore, you should be mindful that there are many hurdles you will have to cross before you earn the qualification you are being matriculated for,” he added.

Bilbis disclosed that for the academic session, the university has admitted no fewer than 5,962 students.

He said it was obvious from the distribution, the university has maintained its trajectory of giving priority to science and science related programmes.

“This is in compliance with the Federal Government’s directive on Science to Humanity students ratio of 60:40 and our response to the desire of the country for rapid development,” he said.

The vice-chancellor, while assuring all students that their stay in the university is worthwhile, reiterated the need for them to continue to be of good behaviour and work hard toward completing their studies on schedule.

He acknowledged the support and assistance received by the university from leaders at all levels, security agencies and the general public. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

The Management of the University of Ilorin has received delivery of books worth millions of Naira donated to its library by the University of Bath, United Kingdom.

According to the University of Ilorin Bulletin issued on Monday, the donation was facilitated by a former student and a friend of the University, Dr Teslim Bukoye.

It explained that Bukoye, is now an elected member of Academic Assembly on Senate to the Council of the University of Bath.

UNILORIN Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN), commended the facilitator and the University of Bath for the magnanimous donation.

The VC, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Sulaiman Ambali, expressed  hope that the books donated would prove invaluable to the students, academic staff and other users of the university library.

He also advised other individuals and organisations to follow the example set by the University of Bath.

Egbewole said UNILORIN had the intention to strengthen its relationship with the University of Bath, which could potentially involve staff development programmes.

He encouraged the university librarian and the entire library staff to inform relevant faculties and departments of the new collections in order to enhance the quality of learning and research at the institution.

He said that the donation marked a significant milestone in the advancement of the University of Ilorin in its academic and research capabilities.

“The books will undoubtedly contribute to the development and enrichment of students and Faculties alike, and foster a vibrant intellectual environment on campus,” he said.

Earlier in his remarks, Dr Kamaldeen Omopupa, the University Librarian, expressed enthusiasm about the potential benefits the donated books would bring to specific faculties within the university.

Omopupa commended the richness and relevance of the books, emphasising their alignment with the university’s curriculum.

He said the intellectual resources would play a crucial role in the upcoming accreditation exercises, and contribute to the institution’s pursuit of excellence in education and research.

He thanked the University of Bath for the generous donation and acknowledged the efforts of Dr Bukoye in facilitating the collaboration between the two universities. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Julius Toba-Jegede

By Angela Atabo

Olwin Kids Foundation, has sensitised children at the new Kuchigoro Internally Displaced persons (IDPs) camp on Gender Based Violence (GBV), as well as donated stationery to their school .

Mr Olufemi Winfunke, Executive Director of the foundation made this known during its outreach at the camp in Abuja.

Winfunke said the Joyful Kids Foundation, a sister organisation of Olwin decided to build the capacity of the children on GBV to empower them against abuses and other vices .

He said: “The main goal of the intervention is to enlighten the children and also support of the IDP camp.

“We are here to pass valuable information on GBV, body parts protection, things that they should know so that they are not taken advantage of.

“We are also here to support the teachers with stationery such as text books ,pencils ,books and others because they are lacking a lot of support in terms of materials needed for the educational process.

“We will also be helping them with the construction of new classrooms as well as the completion of the classrooms they have.

“This is because most of them don’t have windows, so when it’s raining, water pours into and disturbs their class.

“So, we picked this place to lend our support to because one, it is an IDP camp , two, because our foundation is focused mainly on children and this school here is for children from nursery to primary six.”

Winfunke said the nature of the school which was estaished by the community made it more imperative for the foundation to intervene and support the school.

“It is a very touching story and the government needs to come and set up schools, medical facilities and other amenities.

“It should also integrate these people back into the system to take them to their communities because as of now, it seems that they are just forgotten, ” he added.

Winfunke said the foundation also carry out other interventions in the area of fertility management where it helps to empower people facing infertility challenges.

He said they include fibroid and conception, among others, and equip the people with the requisite knowledge on how to come out of it.

Mr Mayowa Elebiyo ,Public Relations Manager,Teen County Africa, a partner of Olwin foundation, said that it was important to teach children on GBV.

According to him, it is critical to catch the kids young to save them from being victims and suffering its repercussion in the future.

He said: “We are community service experts and we took it upon ourselves to reach out to the IDP camp today.

“One of our objectives is to ensure that we build the capacity of these young ones about sexual abuse and other vices happening around them.

“So, one of the modules I took them was about sexual abuse, we reoriented them on how to know when they are being touched wrongly and who to report to.

“The children from ages five to seven were taught using fun ways to pass the information and they understood it.”

Mr Luka Ayedoo,Headmaster of Sharing Prosperity School and Secretary of the camp commended the NGO for the invaluable gesture .

He added: “We established the school ourselves to make sure our children have access to education and the teachers run the school on vulunterily, because there is no money to pay salaries since there is no much support .

“Before, some NGOs helped us but it was not enough, so, I am pleading with more organisations and individuals to support us so the children can be in school.

“We started with 85 pupils but now we have close to 300. These children would have been on the streets rooming about but now they are in school.”

Ayedoo called on the government to fight illiteracy by empowering more children to be in school, adding, “thereby prevent them being used as willing tools for social vices and terrorism.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Unity School Old Students Association (USOSA) has reiterated its commitment to work with stakeholders to advance public secondary education in the country.

The President-General of the association, Mr Michael Magaji, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Saturday, ahead of its National Education Summit billed for July 20.

Magaji said that the summit would bring about a policy redirection towards developing the entire education sector of the country.

“We are going to design a roadmap and work plan that will chat a way for stakeholders to address the numerous challenges facing the sector.

”We as alumni of unity schools have come together to advance the course of public education at the basic and secondary levels.

” We believe that in the public education today, quality has declined for many reasons- poor funding, lack of infrastructure, high enrollment without commensurate capacity in terms of teaching and infrastructural decay.

”So what we want to do as an association is to help in reversing this decline to promote and advocate public education where tax payers money can be effectively used for the good of everyone particularly the education sector.

”So at USOSA, we are in the solution mood around education to do something about it. We will continue to partner with the owners of the schools -federal government to see how we can improve quality and introduce digital innovation,” he said.

Some of the officials of the association at the event 

Magaji described education as the responsibilities of all and should therefore not be left in the hands of the Federal Government alone.

”The education summit is targeted at bringing stakeholders together to design a road map that can address the challenges in the sector.

” In education, two key elements are important which are access and quality. So we are going to be working with the government on how to support them to improve access to infrastructure and infuse digital technology into learning experiences,” he added.

He, therefore, said that promoting the teaching of the curriculum in Nigerian languages would be the focus of the summit.

When asked about the proposed 12 years as minimum admission age for entry into JSS 1 of the unity colleges, Magaji said age should not be a barrier if the candidates could demonstrate an aptitude and behaviour that would enable him lead in the community of learners.

The president-general said that the association would be working with the Federal Ministry of Education to proffer strategies in transforming the sector in the next few years.

While acknowledging the efforts of some Nigerians in their inputs towards public and private services of education, Magaji said that awards would be given to them to provide inspirational model for others to follow. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

By Clara Egbogota

Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta has urged members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the state to demonstrate the highest sense of discipline, honesty and selflessness through their conduct.

Oborevwori said this at the official opening/swearing-in ceremony of the 2023 Batch ‘B’ Stream I Corps Members deployed to the state at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Issele Uku.

The governor, represented by his Chief of Staff (CoS), Johnson Erijo, said through their good conduct, a more cohesive and peaceful Nigeria where love, understanding and peaceful co-existence prevailed should be the standard.

“It is our sincere expectation that throughout the service year, your disposition toward the people in your host communities should mark you out as patriotic citizens.

“As agents of hope in our national aspirations, you should be confident in the ability of the country to pull through its multifaceted challenges.

“I plead with you to be serious with the orientation course including other phases of the mandatory one-year service.

“This will also enhance interaction and peaceful coexistence with others of diverse backgrounds devoid of bigotry, socio-political, ethnic and religious differences,” he said.

He urged them to respect their oath of allegiance by always putting the interest of the nation and their families above everything.

Oborevwori added that they should not lose sight of their role as future leaders.

“As patriotic citizens, you should shun all forms of vices and anti-social behaviours and be guided by the NYSC motto: Service and Humility,” he added.

Mr Olusegun Alao, the Delta Coordinator of NYSC, urged the corps members to use their skills, talents and knowledge and participate actively in the various activities outlined.

“The knowledge acquired will guide you during the course of the service year and beyond.

“At the end of this course, you will be posted to all the nook and cranny of the state and it is expected that you will integrate with the people of your host communities.

“You will encounter challenges that will require you to display your expertise as leaders, mentors and role models,” he said.

Alao said that a total of 1,230 prospective corps members comprising of 540 males and 690 females were sworn in.(NAN)(nannews.com.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Stanley Nwanosike

Eleven prisoners from the Enugu Custodial Special Study Centre have graduated from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in its 2022/2023 Academic Year, while 50 fresh students matriculated at a ceremony in Enugu.

In an address on Thursday at the 12^th Convocation and Matriculation Ceremony at the centre, the Controller of Corrections in Enugu State, Mr Nicholas Obiakor, advised the students who are inmates.

He charged them to ensure that their higher education and academic discipline reflect in all they do.

Obiakor, represented by an Assistant Controller of Corrections, Mr James Abonyi, appreciated the Controller General (CG) of Corrections, Mr Haliru Nababa, for providing the platform and enabling environment for educational reformation and transformation of inmates.

He noted that educational attainment and pursuit remained the best thing any inmate would want to achieve, especially as it is done at no cost to the inmate as far as he or she indicates interest and commitment.

“I want to commend our amiable CG for turning this correctional centre from a punitive ground to a place of exceptional reformation that is an envy of all as highly educationally-qualified students are churned up here yearly.

“I want to appreciate the Commander-in-Chief and the President, who through NOUN, has provided a free-of-charge learning platform for all inmates wishing to enroll for university education.

“I also appreciate non-governmental organisations, foundations and individuals that have supported inmates’ education.

“For our students, I want you to take advantage of this golden opportunity to get to the top and be the best in your chosen academic endeavour, even as I urge you to shun vices and examination malpractices but be highly focused,” he said.

Issuing out the degree certificates to the graduating students, the Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, congratulated both the graduating and matriculating students for choosing a path that “will guarantee their future in the society”.

Peters, represented by the National Coordinator for All Special Study Centres, Mrs Modupe Adesina, said that 66 inmates from different custodial centres in the country graduated this year with Enugu Custodial Special Study Centre having 11.

“You should take the advantage of this opportunity provided by the Federal Government, through NOUN, as you can take your academic pursuit to the Doctorate Degree level without paying a dime.

“It is clear that with your academic reforms and higher educational attainment, you future is very bright and the sky is your starting point for your greatness and exploits in life when you leave here,” he said.

Earlier, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), Mr Kelvin Iloafonsi, congratulated the students, adding that “gaining admission into NOUN is a no mean feat, especially for someone in incarceration”.

Iloafonsi, who is the Educational Desk Officer of NOUN at the Enugu Custodial Special Study Centre, noted that “NOUN is the only University in Nigeria where you cannot cut corners to be admitted because admission is done online with due process and procedures.

“Matriculating students should shun all forms of social vices such as cultism, robbery, kidnapping, fraud and nefarious activities which can mar their bright future when you regain your freedom because it brings absolutely nothing but destruction and annihilation,” he said.

Iloafonsi appreciated the CG of Corrections, Mr Nababa, for making the programme possible and providing educational reformation platform for inmates and the Vice-Chancellor of NOUN Prof. Peters, for approving special study centres and instituting tuition-free academic pursuits.

“Our warmest regards to the Isaac Blessing Foundation, CAPIO and all our partnering NGOs. We owe great thanks to Enugu NOUN Centre Director, Prof. Alexander Onyia, and the National Coordinator for All Special Study Centres, Mrs Modupe Adesina.

“We also want to appreciate the Correctional Service Special Study Centre Director, Mr Francis Enobore, for his guidance and support,” he said.

One of the graduates, Mr Eze Utama, commended the Federal Government, the CG of Corrections, Mr Nababa, and Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Peters, for providing quality education free-of-charge at their door-steps and taking special interest in their reformation.

The highlights of the event were the oath taking by matriculating students, which was administered by Enugu NOUN Centre Director, Prof. Onyia, represented by Mr Matthew Egede; cutting of the convocation and matriculation cake and cultural displays. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Vincent Obi

By Victor Okoye

A Group, Bluestream Educational Ltd says it is set to offer 100 per cent educational scholarships and grants to Nigerian students to further their education home and abroad.

AbdulKareem Ogirima, the Group’s Managing Director spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of an educational fair on Monday in Abuja.

The fair was organised by the group in collaboration with some top universities in Turkey, U.S. U.K and Canada.

Ogirima said that the gesture was part of the Group’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), adding that Nigerian students were one of the brightest in the world and deserve quality education.

He explained that in addition to the scholarships, Bluestream Educational Ltd was giving grants to students free of charge as long as they are brilliant or show evidence that they deserve such and it is within their budget.

“Our resolve, as part of our CSR is to continue to assist students with the needed information on gaining admission, scholarships and sponsorships.

“We are indeed proud of the performances of Nigerian students and this is what spurs us to do even more.

“We are committed to solving the challenges faced by our students who are seeking admission into various universities around the world.

“So far, we have helped over 1,000 students to gain admission, and also assisted a number of them to get scholarships, this we do with our partners in U.S., Canada, UK, Turkey and other countries.

“This year’s edition will see us give 100 per cent educational scholarships to students who perform excellently well in our in-house examinations.

“We are in partnership with some Turkish universities including; Sabanci University, Isik University, Istinye University, Istanbul Ozyegin University, Bahcesehir University, to mention a few,” he said.

He said the group also offers personalised services based on the student’s budget or academic performance (secondary school transcripts).

He added that their services also include; assisting students improve their scores in IELTS, SAT, JAMB and WAEC as well as giving out educational grants and job opportunities abroad.

Ogirima commended the student loan policy of President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

He said that if well-articulated, the policy would go a long way in improving access to education by Nigerians just as it is done in the U.K. and U.S.

“For us in Nigeria, we are just starting but at least, we know now that the government is talking about student loan which is the way to go.

“The idea will further assist indigent students gain quality education, which is in line with the Federal Government’s policies on inclusive, affordable and accessible education.

“Student loan is not out of place given our current realities and challenges in higher education (HE/FE) pursuit. But it has to be well articulated and domesticated with government’s sincerity of purpose.

“It is a huge investment that should be given all the attention and seriousness it deserves,” he said.

NAN reports that BlueStream Group Ltd is a multinational company that focuses its services on Education, Health, Travel and Hospitality. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Joseph Edeh