By Francis Onyeukwu

Dr Abidemi Babalola, Research Fellow, Centre of African Studies, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, says governments should engage thorough breed archaeologists to meet the Coronavirus (COVID-19) challenges.

Babalola said this during an exhibition marking 60 years of excavations of archaeological materials in Igboukwu in Anambra on Wednesday.

The event held at the National Commission for Museum and Monuments (NCMMN) centre, Umudege, Igboukwu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exhibition was jointly organised by Babalola and Dr Kingsley Daraojimba of Archaeology and Tourism Department, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

According to Babalola, from historical accounts, the COVID-19 pandemic which began in Wuham, China, was not the first of its kind in human history.

“If governments could engage the services of archaeologists, through their expertise, they can uncover how past pandemics recorded in the past were treated.

“Such findings might help end this present problem,” the archaeologists argued.

He added that the exhibition was part of three-year-old activities on the continuation of work on Igboukwu archaeological discovery which was started 60 years ago by Prof. Thurstan Shaw.

Prof. Anslem Ibeanu, the immediate past Head of the Department of Archaeology and Tourism, UNN, also called for the establishment of radiocarbon dating laboratory in Nigeria.

Ibeanu said such laboratory would help facilitate more archaeological discoveries capable of developing the tourism sub-sector in the country.

“If government invests in this area, it will help open the tourism industry which has the potential to provide jobs for millions of people in our nation,” he said.

Dr Emeka Okonkwo, the current head of the department, said UNN and Cambridge University as well as other partners were working hard to get more information on the archaeological materials found in Igboukwu.

He said efforts were on to include Igboukwu in the world heritage list, adding that more assistance was required for the accomplishment of the target.

Also, Daraojimba, co-organiser of the event, said since 2018 when he and Babalola began the project, efforts had been made to integrate the community in advancing archaeological discovery projects.

“We have visited Igboukwu community several times, engaged primary school pupils across the three quarters of the town, with the aim of laying basic foundation on archaeological discovery here,” he said.

Wife of the late traditional ruler of Igboukwu, Nwakego Ezeh, thanked the Federal Government for the NCMMN centre in the area and also Prof. Shaw for pioneering Igboukwu archaeological discoveries.

Others who spoke at the event were Dr Alex Anozie, the traditional ruler of Igbo people living in Oyo State and Mr Christian Ike, the President-General of Igboukwu community, among others. (NAN)

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Enugu State Ministry of Education says all schools in the state will resume on Jan. 18, 2021.

The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uchenna Eze, said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Enugu on Monday.

Eze noted that the decision was reached at a meeting between the ministry and major stakeholders in the education sector on Monday.

The commissioner said that all schools in the state have been advised to ensure full compliance with the NCDC guidelines for the containment of COVID-19 before resumption.

He said: “The ministry will constantly monitor compliance when schools resume.

“It was also decided that to help engage the students/pupils, all tertiary institutions, basic and post basic schools are advised to activate their e-learning programmes”.

In another development, Enugu State Government, in its efforts to contain the second wave of COVID-19, has suspended the annual prayer session held at the Government House, Enugu.

The government, however, directed all civil servants to resume duties in their various offices, with strict compliance with NCDC guidelines. (NAN)

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

The National Mathematical Centre (NMC) says it has trained no fewer than 100 participants in a foundation postgraduate course in `real analysis’, a branch of pure mathematics, to enhance learning of mathematics among students.

Dr James Ajie, the Acting Coordinator, Mathematics Programme, NMC disclosed that at the virtual training at Sheda, Kwali Area Council, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on Monday.

He said that the four-day training was targeted at mathematics graduates.

Ajie also said that although the programme was for graduates of mathematics, who intended to further their studies in mathematics, undergraduate students could equally benefit from it.

He further said that the training was part of the center’s agenda to promote effective teaching and learning of the course among students and lecturers.

According to him, real analysis was a pure mathematics course, that is fundamental to all mathematicians; as every graduate of mathematics was supposed to have knowledge of real analysis.

“Any user of mathematics should also have some knowledge of real analysis because for someone to have confidence that the result he/she got is right you are supposed to do some analysis.’’

Ajie noted that the programme was also aimed to checking the falling standard of mathematics education across the country, as well as enhance the performance of both students and lectures.

The acting coordinator further explained that as a subject, mathematics lacked teachers and lecturers in most schools and universities, while urging governments, at all levels, to encourage the teaching of the subject, at all levels for the development of the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over 100 participants had benefited from the programme, comprising undergraduates, graduates, postgraduates and lecturers of mathematics, from across the country and beyond, since it began.(NAN)

By Veronica Dariya
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Monday warned the public not to fall prey to fraudsters and rumour mongers.

The board, who gave the advice in a weekly Bulletin of the Office of the Registrar, said that it has yet to begin the sale of the 2021 Unified Tertiary and Matriculation Examination (UTME) forms.

”JAMB reiterates that it has not began sale of its 2021 UTME and Direct Entry (DE) application forms, neither has it announced a date for the exercise.

”The clarification became necessary following fake news that the board has began the sale and was urging prospective applicants to procure same from some nebulous selling outlets.

”The public is to note that the news of purported sale of the registration forms is false and an attempt to mislead the public.”

The board stated that it has defined channels of communicating to the public and has not delegated any persons or group of persons to handle the sale on its behalf.

It also added that the public would be duly informed on the commencement of the exercise via appropriate media platforms once it was done planning the process.

JAMB explained that the delay in the start of the sale of the application forms was as a result of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic in the country but would conclude arrangements soon.

The board urged all to always confirm information relating to its activities on the provided online platforms, so as not to fall prey to the antics of fraudsters.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over 2.1 million candidates registered for the 2020 UTME and Direct Entry.

By Nefishetu Yakubu

The Edo chapter of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has directed its members to shun enrollment into the state government’s contributory pension scheme.

The directive is contained in a statement issued by the Assistant General Secretary of the union, Mr Moni Itua and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Benin.

Itua said that the decision was a follow-up to the resolution of the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) of the union at its last meeting held on Dec. 29, 2020.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the union had, on Dec. 29, 2020, issued a 21-day ultimatum to the state government over alleged failure to meet its 10-point demand, bordering on poor conditions of service, among others.

Itua said: “I have been directed to inform all school heads and primary school teachers not to fill any document having to do with contributory pension scheme, no matter the source of such document, until the union directs otherwise.

“The above directive became inevitable because the two fundamental issues raised by the union concerning the pension scheme have not received government’s positive response,” he said.

According to Itua, the fundamental issues yet to be resolved include the tier of government that will be responsible for the monthly remittance of 10 percent to the pension accounts of individual teachers, particularly those at the primary school level.

Also, the NUT wants the state government to cater for the accrued gratuity entitlements of teachers, prior to the commencement of the scheme, as provided by law.

Itua said that the directive to the teachers not to fill any pension document had become inevitable as a result of the failure of the state government to address the two issues regarding the scheme. (NAN)

By Desmond Ejibas

The Rivers Government on Sunday approved the reopening of all public and private nursery, primary and secondary schools in the state, with effect from Jan. 4.

Mr Chidi Adiele, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, announced the reopening of the schools in a statement in Port Harcourt.

“The Rivers Education Ministry wishes to announce that, with the approval of Gov. Nyesom Wike, the school calendar published in August 2020 stands.

“Accordingly, both public and private schools in the state are hereby reminded that schools will resume on Jan. 4, 2021 for normal academic activities.

“Schools are to maintain all COVID-19 protocols, including the wearing of face masks, use of hand sanitiser and staggered classes.

“The classes are expected to be staggered morning and afternoon sessions in order to avoid overcrowding,” he said.

Adiele wished pupils, students, parents and guardians the very best in the academic year. (NAN)

By Yinusa Ishola

A don, Mary Oyewale, on Saturday, expressed support for improvement in educational provision and training opportunities, under the 2021 budget, specifically for Nomads, for them to be part of the nation’s development plans.

Oyewale of the Department of Arts and Languages, Faculty of Education, Ekiti State University, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ado-Ekiti, stated that every Nigerian child had a right to equal educational opportunity, irrespective of real or imagined disabilities.

“There is the need for the nomads to be given attention academically, in order to satisfy their educational needs and interests. No doubt that great quality assurance will be achieved in the Nomadic Education programme in Nigeria, if given the desired encouragement,” she said.

Oyewale further said that the importance of nomadic education could not be over-emphasised or down played, as it was a means by which society eradicated illiteracy and enhanced the socio-economic conditions of the rural populace.

She identified challenges confronting nomadic education as: inadequate teaching and learning materials, lack of up-to-date statistics and lack of developed policies aimed at providing nomads the type of education that suited their lifestyle.

Others, she said, were insufficient funds, inadequate infrastructure, lack of adequate supervision and monitoring by local, state officials.

The don recommended the inclusion of members of nomadic groups in national planning and decision making, as concerned nomadic issues, so as to achieve the desired objectives and targets.

She urged governments at all levels to create avenues for feedback from the people as regards developments on nomadic education.

Oyewale also called on the National Commission for Nomadic Education (NCNE) to ensure recruitment and training of more teachers for deployment to areas where nomadic education was being practiced.

“The use of Information and Communication Technology can also be of great assistance in championing nomadic education, especially in dealing with difficulties over COVID-19.

“Since the Fulani nomads stay mostly in the bush and always on the move with their families, ICT-based distant teaching and learning may be of great help in bridging the educational gap,” Oyewale added. (NAN)

By Douglas Okoro

The Ebonyi Government has directed schools across the state to resume for the continuation of the first term of the  2020 /2021 academic session on Jan. 18.

This is contained in a statement by the State Commissioner for Education, Dr Onyebuchi Chima, on Saturday in Abakaliki.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that public, private and mission schools in the state were originally slated to resume for the continuation of the first term on Jan. 4.

NAN recalls that the Ebonyi government had directed schools to vacate for the Christmas holiday on Dec. 18, 2020, after it reopened schools in October, with the lifting of lockdown due to the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“I have been directed by Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, to inform the general public that resumption of academic activities in Ebonyi schools have been shifted to Monday, Jan. 18, as against the initial resumption date of Jan. 4.

“The postponement is due to the need to take precautions against the impending second wave of COVID-19 and in compliance to the directives of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 pandemic,’’ Chima stated.

The statement further added that tertiary institutions in the state would resume academic activities on Monday, Jan. 4 on condition of strict observance of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) COVID-19 protocols.

It said the governor explained that the decision to allow tertiary institutions to reopen was to ensure the return of students to full academic activities, especially as the Academic Staff Union of Universities had suspended its nine months industrial action. (NAN)