By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) says it will deploy the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB’s) Computer Based Centres (CBT) for its Professional Qualifying Examinations (PQE) and training programmes.

The Registrar, TRCN, Prof. Josiah Ajiboye, announced this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said that both organisations had come together to explore ways to strengthen collaborations to boost service delivery.

Ajiboye said that he joined the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, to inspect the new (CBT) facilities built by JAMB in Kaduna metropolis.

He said the new 1000-seater CBT Centre was recently inaugurated by the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai.

He said the visit, which was at the instance of the JAMB Registrar was aimed at forging stronger partnership between TRCN and JAMB, with the TRCN using the new facilities for its PQE and digital training programmes.

“Each of the CBT hall has a withholding room that can seat 250 candidates at a time and the centre has a big parking lot that can accommodate hundreds of cars,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

Stakeholders in the education sector have reiterated the need to allocate 20 per cent of the national budget to education with full implementation of the allocation.

The National Moderator, Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), Mr Duke Ogbureke, said this at the 2023 Global Action Week for Education (GAWE23) in Abuja on Tuesday.

The GAWE23, a Civil Society Dialogue Workshop with the theme: ‘Invest in a Just World: Decolonise Education Financing Now”, is aimed at setting the education agenda for the new administration.

Ogbureke said that for development to take place, there is need for the government to budget adequately for education to hit at least the minimum benchmark of 20 per cent of the national budget.

” Our case is peculiar because we have close to 20 million out-of-school children, so you will agree with me that even the benchmark of 20 per cent of the budgetary allocation to finance education will not be sufficient for us.

”This is because already we have the challenge of bringing in the 20milliom out-of-school children into school. So to do that we have to even go beyond the minimum benchmark.

”CSACEFA believe that we have enough resources in the country if our leaders will demonstrate enough political will through effectively and efficiently utilisation of budgetary allocation.

”If 20 per cent is provided, it must be effectively and efficiently used to finance education across all levels so that Nigerian youths can compete effectively with their global counterparts,” he said.

Ogbureke said historically, the budget allocated to education could not improve the sector, hence the need to allocate 20 per cent of the budget to education while also ensuring its utilisation.

He, therefore, charged civil society organisations to hold government accountable in the effective use of budget released for education so that the effect would be felt at all levels.

On the recent students loan signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, he commended the initiative while calling for its adequate implementation so that indigent Nigerians would have access to the loan.

”My challenge with the students loan is in the implementation. If it is effectively, efficiently, transparently and accountably implemented, I believe it would to some extent meet the needs of some indigent students who are members of our population.

” I am hoping that the system will be transparent and monitored so that those who truly needs the loan can access it,” he added.

Also, the Executive Director, Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, Dr Otive Igbuzor, said the issues of out-of-school children must be addressed through adequate funding.

Igbuzor, speaking on the Nigeria Education Financing and the Concept of Colonisation of Education Financing, said that budgetary allocation to education was poor when compared to other countries.

He, however, said that to get it right in the area of education, the government must give a modern functional transformative education to its citizens that would yield development.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer, Youthhub Africa, Mr Rotimi Olawale, urged the government to ensure that certain percentage from savings from fuel subsidy removal be allocated to education financing.

Olawale said that investment in education as well as the responsibility of education financing lied with the government, while also charging the CSOs to find critical ways to help government in education financing.

In the same vein, the Secretary General, National Union of Teachers (NUT), Dr Mike Ene called for teachers training, especially from the employment level of the teachers, saying doing this would translate to competition in the system.

Ene, represented by the NUT Gender Desk Officer, Mrs Salamatu Aliu, also said that the best students should be sent to the Colleges of Education (COE) so they would come out to be better teachers.

According to her, often times, students who could not get admissions into the universities sought for the last option of colleges of education which is not right.

”There cannot be development in Nigeria if education is not taken proper care of.

”The best students in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) should be sent to the teachers training schools so as to impact the sector but the reverse is what we see,” he said.

The Policy Advisor, CSACEFA, Mrs Odinakachi Ahanonu, said that campaigning for the right to education with an opportunity to make targeted efforts to achieve change would transform the sector.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

Mr David Adejo, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, has urged students in the country to rekindle the reading culture.

Adejo gave the advice on Tuesday at the launch of the 2023 Readership Promotion Campaign organised by the National Library of Nigeria, in Abuja.

The 2023 Readership Promotion Campaign is taking place in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with the theme “Read your way to the top”.

The permanent secretary, who expressed concern over the poor reading culture among Nigerian children, regretted that half of the adults in Nigeria hardly read books.

“It is a general saying that if you want to hide anything from a Nigerian, put it in a book. This is becoming worse because we are reading far less than we used to.

”This is more evident in our young ones and is becoming worrisome with the heavy reliance on digital reading sources,’’ he said.

According to him, the Annual Readership Promotion Campaign is a way of moving the nation forward economically, socially and politically.

“Statistics show that a good percentage of Nigerian children have trouble with reading comprehension.

“This made National Library of Nigeria to initiate various readership promotion campaigns to make reading a top priority.”

Speaking earlier, the National Librarian/Chief Executive Officer of the NLN, Prof. Chinwe Anunobi, said that the 2022 readership campaign impacted over 4,000 individuals.

A bulk of those individuals were secondary school students and other adults, he said.

Anunobi blamed the poor reading culture in the country on inadequate educational resources and the advent of social media among others.

“I need not overemphasise the position that we must encourage our children and youths to jettison social media and read because independent reading leads to an increased volume of reading.

“The more one reads, the more knowledge of words and language one acquires,” she said.

Also in her remarks, the Chairperson of the Readership Promotion Campaign, Mrs Amaka Ojielo, said that the theme of the campaign was apt.

`It is only through reading that one can excel academically, economically, socially and health wise,” she said.

Ojielo, who said that the benefits of books and reading could not be overemphasised, said that the National Library of Nigeria’s readership campaign was an effort to make the country an information literacy nation. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

Stakeholders in the humanitarian sector have pledged continuous support through strengthening access to national services that will empower refugees and persons of concern in the country to live self-reliant lives.

They made the pledge at a programme on Tuesday in Abuja to commemorate the 2023 World Refugee Day with the theme “Hope away from Home’’.

Hajiya lmaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), said the day served as a reminder that no one chose to be a refugee.

“We are developing a significant framework and guidance documents that will forester the provision of durable solutions to refugees and other persons of concern,” Suleiman-Ibrahim said.

“Let us stand together not only in solidarity but on willful determination to foster a world where refugees are not mere survivals but cherished members of our global community.

“Today serves as a powerful reminder that no one chooses to be a refugee; it is the circumstances beyond control that forces them to leave everything behind; their homes, loved ones, families and their familiar surroundings,’’ she said.

Similarly, Ms Chansa Kapaya, the Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to Nigeria, commended Nigeria for continuously keeping its doors and hearts open to people forced to flee their homes.

Kapaya said that currently Nigeria was hosting 95,700 refugees and asylum seekers in addition to the existing over 87,000 Cameroonian refugees hosted in four states in the South-East.

“Violence in Cameroon’s far north has also resulted in a new influx into Adamawa State, where an estimated 20,000 asylum seekers have arrived since mid-last year.

“In responding to the plight of refugees and asylum seekers, Nigeria has cultivated a positive and supportive environment starting with a favourable asylum policy where refugees can move freely
once registered.

“This approach is a testament of the country’s progressive asylum policies and commitment to standing with refugees,” she said.

Kapaya mentioned the cases of Cross River, Taraba, and Benue states, where refugee children stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their Nigerian counterparts.

“They attend the same schools, undertake the same national examinations, and earn the same certifications, ensuring that they are not left behind,” she said.

Another example Kapaya
cited is the Lagos State Employability Trust Fund which has extended its reach to include refugees in their livelihood -enhancing and skills-building programmes.

On his part, the Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, ECOWAS Commission, Dr Sintiki Ugbe said the needs of millions of displaced populations were on the rise compelling them to depend on daily rations for survival.

Represented by Mr Godfrey Alozie of the Commission, Ugbe said this has been made worse by violence, abject poverty, chronic food insecurity, malnutrition, and climate related factors.

He said in giving hope, three areas have been highlighted namely access, to jobs, enrollment in schools and access to services like housing, and healthcare.

“The next is solidarity, for no fault of theirs, they have been displaced away from home. We all need to show them a sense of belonging. We need to welcome them as this will refresh their hopes.

“The third is solutions, we need to provide durable solutions to assist displaced populations particularly refugees,” Ugbe explained.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Refugee Day is an international day organised on June 20 every year to celebrate and honour refugees from around the world. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Razak Owolabi

By Ruth Oketunde

Dr Abednego Silverstone, an Education Researcher, on Tuesday lauded President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the immediate dissolution of boards and Councils of all Federal Government’s paratastals and corporations.

Silverstone told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, that the action was timely and a positive decision.

He also urged that all governing councils of Federal Universities across the country should be dissolved.

Silverstone argued that a relevant provision in the Act establishing the Councils, also supports the idea of sacking them, in an event they are ” found to be incompetent and corrupt “.

According to him, the universities’ councils should not be considered in the exception clause, derived from the Third Schedule, Part 1, Section 153 (i) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended.)

Silverstone said that a relevant provision in the Act establishing the councils also supports the idea of sacking them, in an event they are “found to be incompetent and corrupt”.

He called on the president to remain resolute and intentional in addressing the challenges affecting the university system and standard of education in Nigeria.

The education expert alleged: ”Due to political patronage, many unqualified persons were appointed into the governing councils of most of the federal universities.

”Some of the councils’ members were going outside their mandates and were interfering with the daily running of universities.”

Silverstone, however, called on the president to sanitiae the education sector and appoint only technocrats with high pedigree and those with cognate experience to bolster the sector’s growth.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Bashir Rabe Mani

By Ruth Oketunde

The UK charity, IA-Foundation, is to establish skills acquisition centres in each of the six geo-political zones in Nigeria, to empower millions of out-of-school children in the country.

The initiative is the latest effort by the foundation to add value to the lives of some 20. 2 million Nigerian kids who are currently out-of-school in Africa’s most populous nation.

The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of IA-Foundation, Mrs Ibironke Adeagbo, made the disclosure in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

She said the plan to build the entrepreneurial centres was part of the outcome of her working visit to the newly-elected Mayor of the London Borough of Southwark, Mr Michael Situ.

Adeagbo said that she discussed the global issue of out-of-school children, especially in Nigeria with the mayor, expressing her optimism that time had come for the international community to step into the out-of-school crisis worldwide.

India, Nigeria and Pakistan are the countries with the highest number of out-of-school children, according to records by the UN agency, UNESCO.

Adeagbo said that her visit to Situ was to persuade the mayor to stimulate the consciousness of the British political and business establishments, to get involved in the effort to tackle the out-of-school menace frontally.

According to her, the foundation has also slated to host a summit in Lagos, Nigeria in October, to discuss Nigeria’s out-of-school issues among an international audience.

Adeagbo restated her call on the Nigerian government to establish an agency to tackle the out-of-school crisis, to save the future of children in the expansive West African country.

She said that all eyes were on President Bola Tinubu to make the difference in Nigeria’s education sector, to assure a better future for the country.

A report released late last year by a research company, SBM Intelligence, listed Kebbi, Zamfara and Bauchi States as having the highest numbers of out-of-school children in Nigeria’s 36 states.

NAN reports that the high number of out-of-school children in the three northern states may not be unconnected with some cultural mores that appear to discourage education, especially among the girl-child.

Analysts also posit that the problem is exacerbated by an endemic insurgency by the deadly Boko Haram group which has forced millions of children out of classrooms.

Boko Haram has waged a relentless war in Nigeria since 2009 in a bid to discourage western education in the country, which is also Africa’s most populous nation.

Bayelsa, a state in the oil-rich Niger Delta, is also cited as having the highest number of out-of-school children among states in Southern Nigeria.(NAN)(www.nannews.com).

Edited by Silas Nwoha

By Olatunde Ajayi

The Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Registrars of Private Universities in Nigeria (CVCRPUN) has commended the signing into law of the Student Loan Bill by President Bola Tinubu.

Its Chairman, Prof. Kabiru Adeyemo, gave the commendation at the general assembly of Vice-Chancellors and Registrars of Private Universities in Nigeria at Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the general assembly was: Germane Issues Bothering on Improving Quality of University Education and Service Delivery in Nigeria.

Adeyemo, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of the Lead City University, said that the bill would remove the financial obstacles that frequently prevent talented Nigerian individuals from pursuing higher education.

He added that it would empower students to pursue their educational aspirations, ensuring that no talent would be left untapped.

“This is a non-discriminatory law in that it will accommodate students from public and private institutions by providing interest-free loans for students,” Adeyemo said.

He added that the Student Loan would open up greater opportunities for deserving students to access affordable funding.

The don, however, reiterated the importance of collaboration between private universities and regulatory bodies to foster a mutually beneficial relationship.

“By working hand in hand, we can address regulatory challenges, share resources and expertise, and ensure that our institutions meet the highest standards of quality and governance.

“This assembly as representatives of private universities in Nigeria provides an opportunity to exchange ideas, foster collaboration, and work toward the betterment of higher education in our nation,” he said.

Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor, Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Prof. Chinedum Babalola, said that the general assembly of vice-chancellors and registrars of private universities sought to maintain highest standards of quality education in Nigeria.

Babalola said that the assembly created an opportunity to deliberate on crucial issues such as accreditation of the universities programmes by the National Universities Commission and professional bodies.

According to her, the assembly serves as a platform for partnership in research, study tour and to address the common challenges within members to ensure growth and development in the nation’s education landscape.

NAN reports that the event featured book presentation, recognition and award presentation to Prof. Timothy Olagbemiro, the immediate Past Chairman of CVCRPUN, for his support and dedication. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Moses Kolo

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) says it has taken steps to strengthen innovative research and publications in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector for national development.

The Board’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugaje, stated this at the unveiling of the Nigeria Journal of Technical Education (NJTE) Vol. 21, at the NBTE Head Office in Kaduna on Thursday.

Bugaje said that the move was for scholars in the TVET sector to begin publishing their thoughts, innovations, and research, to contribute to national development.

He stressed the need for the innovations being made in the Nigerian TVET sector to be communicated to the entire academic community for recognition and adaptation.

He explained that the NJTE had been in existence for over 20 years before it became comatose.

He added that from 1985 to 2015, the journal had been the major means of dissemination of research findings from polytechnics to the academic community in Nigeria and beyond.

The NBTE boss said that the publication stopped in 2015, stressing that its revival would significantly contribute to national development through dissemination of innovative research findings.

“The Journal is open for inputs and contributions from academics in the polytechnics and universities, including colleges of education.

“The journal will be published online in July and December of every year, beginning from 2024.

“We published the hardcopy this year because the authority of African Journals Platform needed to see the hardcopy.

“This will allow easy access of the journal from any part of the world,” Bugaje said.

Earlier, Malam Musa Abdullahi, Chairman and Guest Speaker at the occasion, commended NBTE for reviving the NJTE, which he described as a “landmark” in the current quest for educational development.

Abdullahi, the former Board Chairman of the NBTE expressed optimism that NJTE would make a huge difference in Nigeria’s technical education sector.

“I am optimistic that it will attract a huge audience who will translate the innovative ideas to reality,” he said.

He advised the Editorial Board of the journal to publish meaningful research that would translate to tangible development rather than forwarded papers written mainly to satisfy conditions for promotion.

He equally called on the editorial board to subject all submissions to intense scrutiny before publication. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Philip Yatai