By Yetunde Fatungase

As part of the moves toward repositioning Nigeria’s education system, stakeholders have urged governments at all levels to commit sufficient resources to the sector for the overall good of the country.

The stakeholders made the call on Sunday at the unveiling of the renovated school library of Egba Owode Grammar School executed by members of 1977/1982 set.

They were unanimous in their submissions that the challenge of brain drain had been on the increase since the requisite facilities to work with in schools were not in place, hence the need for government to act quickly.

Vice-Chairman, Obafemi Owode Local Government, Hon. Titus Babatunde, noted that most schools did not have the requisite infrastructure to leverage.

Babatunde, who is also an alumnus of the school, noted that the project had become imperative, as it would further boost educational development in the school.

“If you look around the country, you’ll find out that there has continued to be brain drain in the sector because students don’t have the facilities to work with.

“The little ones those who had come up in the years past are now migrating to other places, but if there are no infrastructure, what are you going to use to replace those who are leaving?” he said.

Also speaking, the President of EOGS 77/82, Mr Samuel Soneye, said that the project, which he described as a give-back to their alma mata, was aimed at celebrating their 40 years of graduation from the school.

He noted that one of them had pointed out the deplorable state of infrastructure in the school as well as the encroachment on the school land.

This, he said, had brought about the idea of rehabilitation of the dilapidated school library to serve as a giveback to the school.

On his part, Chairman of Egba Economic Summit, Chief Shina Luwoye, said it was important for government to pay more attention to activities of secondary schools across the country.

Luwoye said it became imperative following the rise in youth restiveness and their continuous engagements with some politicians to embark on some nefarious activities.

He decried the neglect of many government schools in the state, which, he said, had produced many great men and women.

“State governments in the last administration continued to build gigantic schools that did not have students or software to build the students.

“They could have done better to come to schools like this to build more classrooms and equip them,” he said.

The Olu of Owode-Egba, Oba Kolawole Sowemimo, thanked the set for the gesture which, he said, was a demonstration of patriotism toward their alma mata.

The traditional ruler noted that one of the very important things in a school was the library which the students could make use of to better enhance their learning and understanding.

He urged other class sets to emulate them and do even more. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

By Victor Okoye

The Chartered Institute of Educational Practitioners, U.K.(CIEPUK), says it will partner institutions and National Association of Private School Proprietors (NAPSP) in award of scholarships to outstanding students in the 2023 JAMB/UTME.

Prof. Marcel Ezenwoye, National President of CIEPUK, said the gesture was a way of rewarding excellence and encouraging hardworking students in the country.

He said it was also in line with the Federal Government’s policies on inclusive, affordable and accessible education.

“CIEPUK is partnering several universities both within and outside the country to offer 50 per cent scholarship to JAMB/UME students,” he said.

He said the students would pay N60, 000 tuition fee for a semester, N30,000 for hostel and N5,000 as medical fees.

“The list of tertiary institutions involved in the programme, are Hipdet University, Cameroon, Gideon Robert University, Lusaka, Zambia, St. Monica University, Cameroon, Paul University, Awka, Tansian University and Umunya Anambra State.

“Others are Covenant Polytechnic, Owerri, Temple Gate Polytechnic, Aba, Maduka University, Enugu State and Dorben Polytechnic, Abuja,” he said.

He added that other students with lower scores would also enjoy the 50 percent scholarship in the university of their choices, provided they apply between now and Aug. 30.

The don added that CIEPUK was also partnering NAPSP in the scholarship programme.

He said this was in recognition of the invaluable role that NAPSP play in molding the future of these youths.

“We invite all school owners, principals to partner with us in giving them quality higher education and a secured future.

“Admission forms are already on sale and first scholarship/admission screening interview holds on Aug. 30 at the Old Registrar’s office, Paul University, Awka at 12 noon prompt.

“You can go to our website www.ciepuk.org.uk to confirm the courses we offer as well as call 08069030670, 07030808907,“he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has withdrawn the result of one Mmesoma Ejikeme, a candidate of the just-released Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) result over alleged manipulation of her scores.

This is contained in a statement by the Head, Public Affairs and Protocol, JAMB, Dr Fabian Benjamin, and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday.

Recall that Ejikeme, who claimed to have scored 362 in the 2023 UTME, was recently awarded a N3 million scholarship by Innocent Chukwuma, Chairman of Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing Company.

Benjamin said that some of the 2023 UTME candidates were parading fake scores in order to get undue advantage.

He said JAMB, which also listed the case of one Atung Gerald in Kaduna that allegedly claimed to have scored 380, advised the public not to fall victim to the antics of the candidates.

“The attention of JAMB has been drawn to several publications in both print and online media celebrating certain candidates for scoring high in the 2023 UTME.

”The board is constrained to set the records straight and wishes to state unequivocally that many of the results which many of these candidates are parading are fake.

”In many instances, some of these candidates had actually obtained far lower scores than they are claiming and had used some funny software packages to manipulate their results to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.

”The most pathetic of them all is the case of Miss Ejikeme, who claimed to have scored 362 in the 2023 UTME and was awarded a N3 million scholarship by Chukwuma,” he said.

He said that the candidate was set to be honoured by the Anambra State Government when one of its top officials put a call through to JAMB to confirm her claim, only for the board to reveal that she had actually scored 249 and not 362.

”She had manipulated her UTME result to deceive the public and fraudulently obtained scholarship and other recognitions.

”The board would like to state that the likes of Mmesoma are still out there, deceiving those who are always in a hurry to bestow honour on candidates without confirming from the Board,” he added.

He advised the public to always cross check claims by candidates with the Board before rushing to honour them with undeserving awards.

He said this was because certain software had been created to produce fake results and put same out in the public space for fun which was what the sponsors of these candidates were using to defraud good-spirited Nigerians.

”It is to be noted that the candidate had sent a message to the Board’s platform to request her UTME result after which she manually inflated her scores and pasted same on the 2022 UTME result sheet.

”Unknown to her, the Board had changed the design of the 2023 UTME result sheet. Her original result remains 249 as nothing can change that,” he explained.

He, therefore, said that the candidate would be prosecuted as the Board would investigate all candidates laying claims to higher scores than they actually obtained.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

By Fatima Mohammed

Prof. Suleiman Ambali, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Management Services, University of Ilorin, has called on Alumni Association of the Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU) Zaria, to re-brand the institution to its former glory.

Ambali made the call in Ilorin while delivering a lecture during a Cocktail Party for Achievers, organised by ABU Alumni Association, Kwara Branch.

He stated that it was necessary for alumni to remember and give back to their alma mater, for its development and promotion of national values.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ABU, Zaria was established in 1962 as the University of Northern Nigeria.

It was founded and named after Ahmadu Bello, first premier of Northern Nigeria.

Ambali emphasised the need to give back to the alma mater, saying that it would foster a sense of duty, feeling a sense of home and pride.

He explained that since the world is already a global village, alumni’s philanthropic support provides the chance to continue affiliation and improve their alma mater.

The don commended the association for bringing about unity and ensuring that members pull in resources to help the less-privileged in the society.

Earlier in his welcome address, Alhaji AbdulRahman Olawale-Solagberu, the Chairman of the association in Kwara explained that the association had fostered togetherness and unity amongst members.

He added that the goal of the members goal is to help in various disciplines and also assist in furthering the mandate of their alma mater.

Olawale-Solagberu who described ABU as “naturally ahead”, said their vision is to see products of the institution continue to impact the nation positively.

He also appealed for funding in establishing a beffiting secretariat for the association.

According to him, the association is exploring ways to offer assistance to retired members and cover health insurance as well as further education of members.

NAN reports that sidelines of the activities included awards of excellence to some members who have distinguished themselves in their various fields.

Some of the awardees included Sen. Sadiq Suleiman, representing Kwara North senatorial district, Prof Shuaib Oba, Former Vice-Chancellor of University of Ilorin.

Others are: Prof. Aishat Gobir, the Pioneer Provost of the College of Medicine, Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun, Osun and Isa Manzuma, the former NBA Chairman, llorin Branch. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

No fewer than 800 children have been empowered by the Flickers of Hope Foundation (FOH), through its ‘Back2school’ project aimed at taking children off the streets.

The Executive Director of the foundation, Mrs Omolara Adedeji, said this at the maiden edition of Pa Alfred Shonubi Annual quiz competition organised for Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) in Abuja on Saturday.

Adedeji said that about 900 women were also sensitised in 16 communities on the need to see that the girl-child is enrolled in school and completes her education.

According to her, the FOH is a project under the back2school project, which aims at taking more children off the street and back to school.

”In 2018, we launched project back2school. We did this by identifying children in this category who had completed their basic school.

”We enrol them and sponsor them through the three years of study in JSS, as well as providing them with empowerment programmes. Monthly leadership training is also conducted for beneficiaries of the project.

”We also have the FOH scholarship fund which involves the creation of a personalised scholarship fund by individuals where the fund is named after them or their loved ones,” she said.

She added that the foundation also launched the Lift Empowerment Project to support the tuition fees of students in tertiary education level.

She said that students from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and Federal University of Technology, Akure, had benefitted from the initiative.

Adedeji, while saying that the foundation was established to educate, empower through research, capacity building, advocacy and networking for a better society, charged the students not to allow their backgrounds limit them.

She called on stakeholders, high-ranking personalities and group advocates to chart a new course in the education sector by exerting influences, resources, and time in containing the outrageous number of out-of-school children in the society.

Also, the Director in charge of JSS, FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), Hajia Ramatu Nusa, encouraged the students to put their best into their academics for a brighter future.

Nusa, who was represented by the Education Officer in UBEB, Lola Oloruntoba, commended the organiser for their role towards the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goal four (SDG 4) as well supporting quality education.

”Education becomes power when we put it to good use. So as children, you must show that you are the leaders of tomorrow with appropriate use of the education you have,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that five schools took part in the quiz competition and were examined on Mathematics, English and General questions.

The schools are: JSS Bwari 1, JSS Bwari central, JSS Peyi, JSS Tundun Fulani and His Excellency School.

At the end of the competition, JSS Peyi came top while JSS Tudun Fulani and JSS Bwari 1 came second and third respectively.

(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

By Ibukun Emiola
Siyan Oyeweso, a professor of History and International Studies at Osun State University, says strengthening of existing universities will greatly enhance their sustainability.
Oyeweso stated this during the Interdisciplinary Research Discourse organised by the Postgraduate College of University of Ibadan (UI) on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the discourse, which was the college’s 80th, was titled: “Interrogating Issues in the Proliferation of Universities in Nigeria.”
Oyeweso in his submission said a committee of relevant stakeholders should be constituted to take a look at the already established universities now and to map the way forward.
He said Nigeria needed university which had a definitive academic calendar and sustainable funding.
“For any good university to be established, it must have a maturation period. It must grow under the already established good university.
“The law establishing Lagos State University (LASU) was passed in 1983 but the process started way back, from 1979 to 1981, and it did not commence academic activities until October 1984 and it was midwifed by the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
“University of Ibadan (UI) midwifed University of Ife, and what we now refer to as the University of Ilorin was midwifed also by the University of Ibadan.
”Also, the University of Jos was a campus of the University of Ibadan and the University of Calabar was a campus of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN),” the professor said.
He argued that there must be in place models, templates and financial sustainability programmes.
“In the case of Osun State University, there was the contract that we had with staff that we will have a moratorium of five years, that we will not be on any strike because we want to have a sustainable academic calendar.
“And we adopted Sept. 21 of every year as the Foundation Day. If you enter the Osun State University today we will give the date of your graduation and we have kept that faith and maintained that tradition till date,” Oyeweso said.
He urged the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of first generation universities to map out alternative sources of funding.
Oyeweso also cautioned government against granting licences for universities which would not survive.
Speaking on private universities, he said other private universities should copy the template of those that had been excelling and focus on solving societal challenges in order to be relevant.
“They should follow those private universities that are excelling in ranking and ground-breaking research,” Oyeweso said.
In his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, said a nation could not grow beyond the state of its university system.
Adebowale who traced the history of the establishment of the first generation of universities in Nigeria said they were established based on research and the country’s needs at that time.
He noted that while there were 270 universities in Nigeria, it was alarming that this proliferation had not addressed critical factors that could solve the challenges of the nation.
”This is because their establishment was not sustainable, but merely political.
“The universities that are being set up now, I don’t know whether they were research-based or politically-motivated,” Adebowale said.
The vice-chancellor however commended the UI Postgraduate College for the Interdisciplinary Research Discourse.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The outgone Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, has formerly handed over to the most senior officer in the commission, Mr Chris Maiyaki.

At the handover ceremony in Abuja on Friday, Rasheed said he had secured necessary approval from President Bola Tinubu to step down with effect from June 30, 2023.

He said that the new executive secretary would be steering the affairs of the commission in acting capacity until the appointment of a substantive executive secretary by the president.

‘Due to my desire to spend my active years in the classroom, I decided to write the president through the Federal Ministry of Education three years before my tenure expired.

”Upon receiving the approval, I wrote to the Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano to return to classroom with effect from July 1, 2023.

”I want to thank everyone for your faith and confidence in NUC, I appreciate you for supporting the management of NUC because I am lucky to have worked with confident staff,” he said.

Rasheed appreciated the counter-based unions, especially the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the support received from sister agencies throughout his tenure.

When asked of any case of corruption after his resignation, he said he resigned voluntarily from office and not because of fear of alleged corruption.

”As far as I know, I voluntarily resigned from office. I actually resigned two years ago after the expiration of my first tenure in office because I did not want to come back.

”I had already gone to the classroom before my reappointment. This is because I don’t want to retire anywhere outside the classroom and have run the organisation to the best of my abilities,” he said.

Responding, the Acting Executive Secretary, Chris Maiyaki, commended the outgone boss, saying his achievements were unprecedented for all to see.

Maiyaki promised to do his best to consolidate the good work of Rasheed while counting on the support of staff and management of the commission and by extension, the academic community of the country.

”We will sustain that momentum as we believe the future will throw up challenges in digital atmosphere we are. We will continue the reinvention of pivoted role of university education,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rasheed was first appointed on Aug. 1, 2016 for an initial tenure of five years.

He was later reappointed on Aug. 1, 2021 and was expected to be in this position till July 31, 2026 until his formal resignation.(NAN))www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

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By Ibukun Emiola
Dr Hammajam Adamu, Head Panelist, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Scholarship Scheme 2023, says applicants interviewed for the scheme have shown interest in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Cloud Computing.

Adamu, who stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) in Ibadan on Wednesday at the ongoing PTDF scholarship interviews for Ibadan zone, said these were technologies that would help the oil and gas sector.

Adamu said: “I am happy to see that Nigeria has a huge potential, which are young people who are aware of what is happening around the world and who have put themselves forth to solve the country’s problems, particularly those relating to oil and gas.

“We have seen that some of the applicants are interested in artificial intelligence, research in data science and cloud computing.

“They are interested in seeing how these technologies can come together as an ecosystem to help them deliver solutions for the oil and gas industry,” he said.

Adamu said that the PTDF management was able to identify some of the best students with a view to support them, adding: “We believe we need to send our best so as to justification the money spent on them.”

Adamu, who is also the Head of Research, Nigeria Data Protection Commission, said he was also a beneficiary of the programme during his Master and PhD programmes in Security Privacy and Data Protection.

He said that he had been using the knowledge gained from the programme to develop the country in spite of having offers to stay in the United Kingdom.

He urged the successful applicants, who would be the recipients of the scholarship, to return and build Nigeria as a way of appreciating the fund spent on him.

Also, the Team Lead, Ibadan Zone, Oversea Scholarship Scheme, PTDF, Mr Tajudeen Ibiyeye, said that the organisation had been sending scholars abroad for them to gain knowledge in the field of oil and gas.

“From Ibadan zone, we are looking at 659 applicants for M.Sc and 164 for PhD,” he said, adding that the exercise would be taking place in all the six geo-political zones, with 5,000 applicants shortlisted for this stage.”

He said that the successful applicants were expected to return to Nigeria and deploy the skills and knowledge gained.

One of the applicants, Mr Ibukun Nubi, from Olabisi Onabanjo University, expressed optimism about his application, being his second time of applying for the grant.

Nubi said that he would like to gain knowledge about how industries were being run by other countries with a view to replicating same in Nigeria. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

By Femi Ogunshola

A Software Engineer, Mr Peter Ayeni, has called for the introduction of “Tech-Clarity” into the nation’s school curriculum.

Ayeni, a UK-based Senior Software Engineer in one of the leading UK companies, made the call while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

NAN reports that Tech clarity focuses on how software technology and IT services are being used to drive operational improvement and business value.

Ayeni said the integration of the platform in the school curriculum would enable students to understand the opportunities in the tech field at an early stage.

He said tech roles had continued to be in high demand, adding that they offered attractive opportunities for problem-solving, innovation, and high earning potential.

He said if integrated in the school curriculum, it was capable of helping to shape students in the area of empowerment with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate a transition into a tech career

He added that in the area of education it would help to increase understanding of variety and scope roles available within the tech sector and the skill required to succeed in such roles.

The software engineer said it would also provide guidance to effectively navigate the job market, frin crafting compelling tech-focused resuming and salary negotiation.

“The knowledge also boost employability and contribute to efforts to reduce unemployment by helping individuals transition into a growing and high demand sector.

He transitioning into a tech career could be daunting, especially for those without a background in the field, adding that introducing it early would help solve such challenge.

He said with the integration of tech clarity it would help provide a comprehensive resource that would help individuals to make an informed decisions.

He further said it would also help to equip them with the necessary skills and tools, and successfully transition into a rewarding tech career.

He said the idea behind tech clarity was rooted in recognising the rapidly growing importance and influence of technology in every sector of the economy.

Ayeni said he would be willing to work with the government to integrate it into the curriculum of schools including universities, and vocational training centres.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

edited by Sadiya Hamza