By George Odok
Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, has advised students of the institution to shun any form of election violence and thuggery during and after general elections.

Obi, who gave the advice during an interaction with newsmen on Tuesday in Calabar, urged the students to resist any attempt to be used by politicians as thugs.

She said following the directives from the National Universities Commission (NUC) that schools should shut down for the election; the institution had announced the suspension of academic activities from Feb. 22 to March 14.

“I want to advise my students to be careful and conscious, especially now that we have high insecurity challenges in the country. I also want to advise them not to allow themselves to be used by any politician as thugs during the elections.

“They should cast their votes based on their conscience and shun any act that may lead to violence. Our students are young people, who are full of energy, some politicians may want to use them as thugs, but they must reject such offers,” she said.

The VC noted that the government had assured eligibility voters of adequate security before, during and after the polls.

She said any student that was caught causing violence or seen involved any form of thuggery will be arrested by security agencies.

The VC also disclosed that 486 academic staff of the institution had begun training for participation as collation and returning officers.

She observed that the senior lecturers were chosen based on experience, integrity, hard work and exposure, commitment and responsiveness to roles and assignment given to them.

“I want to advise my colleagues that we must do our job with all amount of integrity and transparency for the growth of our country.

“The reason why the Independent National Electoral Commission is using lecturers is based on the fact that we have high level of integrity and we must justify this in our conduct.

“We must not allow ourselves to be used to accuse the process. We must refuse to be tempted with money from politicians to buy the process.

“The lecturers must do their work with integrity and protect the corporate image of the university.

“The lecturer must be dedicated and passionate as they do their job on election days,” she said.

She explained that lecturers participation in the electioneering process was a call to “national service’’. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

By George Odok

The Management of the University of Calabar has announced the suspension of a 400-level student of the Department of Sociology, Miss Olunkanmi Oluwafoyin, over unruly behaviour at Campus.

Her suspension is contained in a press release signed by Mr Gabriel Egbe, Registrar of the institution, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Calabar.

Egbe said that the student was suspended for allegedly violating her matriculation oath through unruly behaviour and endangering lives and property on the university campus.

Egbe said that Oluwafoyin, with registration number 18/104143018, was reported to have, on Feb. 8, driven recklessly against traffic at high speed within the campus with some students hanging precariously on the doors and booth of her car.

The Registrar said that in the course of her action, a university security personnel suffered serious bodily harm and the campus was invaded on her behest by external parties.

“The alleged action was in flagrant disregard of an earlier warning as conveyed in a circular of Jan. 30.

“Consequently, management has suspended Miss Oluwafoyin’s studentship with effect from Feb. 8, pending the outcome of the matter which has been referred to the Students’ Disciplinary Committee for further investigation.

“Meanwhile, Miss Oluwafoyin is also to stay away from campus except on invitation by the Students’ Disciplinary Committee.

“The Dean of Social Sciences, Head, Department of Sociology and the Chief Security Officer are to ensure strict compliance with the directives,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chidinma Agu/Vincent Obi

By Angela Atabo

Wife of Kebbi Governor, Dr Zainab Bagudu has called for improved funding of education in the country to boost national development.

Bagudu spoke at an interactive session with Journalists in Abuja on her eight-year stewardship from 2015 to date.

She said: ”There is really a need for more money for education. It should be accorded the topmost priority.

”Every sector needs more funding, but education needs it more. It is the mother of all sectors. Education effects all sectors.”

The wife of the Kebbi Governor further specifically spoke of the need to educate the girl-child and empower the Nigerian woman.

She added, ”when you educate the girl-child, you educate the society and the girl-child is therefore very crucial in the society.

”So, if we educate the girl-child, we will have a better society. Education is surely very important.”

On the recently introduced cashless policy and the attendant cash crunch, Bagudu described it as very good policy, saying that it would allow Nigerians to leverage on the importance of technology.

According to the Medical Consultant: ”However, the current cash crunch in the country is very unfortunate.

”Change of currency is not a new thing in Nigeria as it is being done globally. President Muhammadu Buhari has offered some respite in his broadcast on Thursday.

” CBN should also release more of the new Naira notes into circulation as well as the old N200 notes.

”The people are waiting longer in the queues at ATM machines in the banks and they are suffering.

”Its making far-reaching impact on the economy although the cashless policy is good, ti should be made more seamless.”

On the 2023 general elections, Bugudu said APC was widely accepted by the people of Kebbi and Nigeria.

The Chairperson of the Northwest APC PCC Women wing added that Kebbi people had stood out in the country.

”We are reaching out to the people and everything has been great. In sha Allahu, APC will emerge victorious during the polls at all levels,” Bagudu added.

On her legacy after leaving office and her husband, she said that posterity and the people would judge them.

”We have done our best and there have been a myriad of programmes and policies to bolster the welfare, comfort and security of the people of the state.

”Challenges will always come but we must surely overcome them and life will continue to be better,” she added.

Bagudu also said that the Kebbi society was a male dominated one, urging, ”it should be made less masculine.

”Women too need step up and be more confident, educate themselves , learn more and do more to make the society better.”

Bagudu also disclosed that she would return to the clinic at the end of their tenure on May 29, 2023.

”I will go back to the clinic and I have a 16-year old daughter that I need to be closer to. I thank my husband, all the stakeholders and the people of the state,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By George Odok

Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, has inaugurated the secretariat of the Postgraduate Students’ Government inside the university’s campus.

While inaugurating the secretariat on Friday in Calabar, Obi commended the leadership of the Postgraduate Students’ Government for building a new secretariat for the student body.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the secretariat “Prof. Florence Obi Postgraduate Students’ Government Secretariat” is named after the Vice Chancellor.

She lauded the postgraduate leadership for exhibiting great courage and resilience in ensuring the completion of the project.

Obi, who described the postgraduate leadership as men and women of integrity, said they have written their names in gold for initiating and ensuring the actualisation of the ‘gigantic project’.

“I will not reject the secretariat being named after me. it’s a great honour for acknowledging my support by naming the building after me,” she said.

Obi commended the postgraduate students for their cooperation during the ‘dark times’ of her administration.

The VC reiterated that her administration would strive hard to achieve academic excellence as well as effective teaching and learning.

She urged the postgraduate executives to emulate the good works and legacies of the former leadership.

She noted that the population of students for regular programmes should be able to make them actualise more massive projects.

The VC advised the new postgraduate executive to engage in constructive discussions, dialogue and policies that would benefit the rest of the students and move the university forward.

She urged them to avoid sabotaging the efforts of the university’s management, just as she warned them against embezzling students’ funds.

Earlier, the Dean of Students Affairs, Dr Anthony Eyang, commended the Vice Chancellor for the pivotal role she played in ensuring the completion of the project.

Eyang said that the project would not have come to fruition without her directives for the quick release of funds from the student’s development charges.

Also speaking, the former President, Post Graduate Student Government, Mr John Ololo, expressed joy on the inauguration and dedication of the “Prof Florence Obi Postgraduate Government Secretariat” under his watch.

Ololo, who described the VC as “Madam Projects” and “the talk and do” Vice Chancellor, appreciated her for the quick approval of the release of funds, her commitment, as well as her support towards the project.

“Our dear VC, you told us when you were laying the foundation stone that this building will be completed during my administration, it looked like a mirage then, but today, it’s a reality,” he said.

He disclosed that the one-storey building houses five offices at the first floor for the President, Secretary General, Senate President, Chief Judge and General office.

He added that the ground floor has a conference hall for meetings, senate plenary and a cafeteria to serve as another source of income for the union. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Ismail AbdulAziz

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

Glisten International Academy has canvassed for the development and reorientation of children’s mind toward having a positive approach that would lead to nation building.

The Deputy Head, School Administration, Mr James Ali, said this at the school’s annual education fair in Abuja on Wednesday.

Ali said that the education fair was apt as it would help add value to the generality of the people.

“We believe the nation Nigeria can change the world at large, so therefore, we have started the mission of nation building by developing and orientating the minds of the children towards positive and developmental approach.

“We had given them (students) the foundational part of education and we believe education is a lifelong process which starts from childhood and even to adulthood.

“We believe that as soon as they graduate from school, learning is meant to continue, so we select schools across the globe, bring them together and we design the career day for the students to choose their career path,’’ he said.

The deputy head also said that career mentorship given to the students would facilitate the development of value system and self-consciousness of the society.

According to him, when you look at the nation today, a lot need to be done to put the nation at the top of performance worldwide.

“We have every natural resources we can ever think of a nation should have but nothing seems to be working positively for the nation.

“And we need these children to start thinking positively and right so that what we have they can put it to use,” he added.

The Guest Speaker at the occasion, Mrs Olajumoke Ekehinde, said it was important for parents, guardians to help guide the students in chosen their career path rather than be authoritative in their decisions.

Ekehinde, School Administrator, Rangefield Preparatory School, Abuja said parents doesn’t want their children to fail, adding that ”We have a mindset of how we see our children or what we want them to be in future.

“Most times you hear parents say: I want my children to do better than what I did, in doing so a lot of them misguide the children by putting them in that ‘box’ of wanting them to be what they want them to be.

“And I will not blame them entirely as I will say it is the love they have for their children but that is fast reducing presently as we are beginning to understand the dynamics of other career choices.

“And  that all careers are good, all careers have potential and that students can excel in the career they choose and all we need to do is to support them,” she said.

A parent, Mr Michael Mozie, called on parents not to super-impose their wish on their children but create a platform for them to choose their driven career.

“Parent is a guide to a child, so we should help the child to actualise his dream, to follow his passion and we should not impose what we want on our children but rather we should encourage them to take their path,” he said.

An SS3 student of the school, Oluwatosin Obasanya commended the school authority for organising the education fair, saying that it would enable them strategise on focusing on their desired career while transiting to higher education.

“I believe it will give me a lot because transition from SS3 to the university is a new experience and it gives a lot of pressure to do well and make the right decision so this gives a lot of prospect on how we can transit in a better way,” she said.

The event featured presentations from representative institutions and talk show by some students.

In attendance were Africanada Educational Services, Zeta Brent Education Limited, Nile University, Philomath University and Kampus Group, among others.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Kabir Muhammad/Isaac Aregbesola

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Federal Government on Monday directed all Polytechnics in the country to shut down until after the forthcoming general elections.

The development came a week after issuing a similar directive for the closure of all Universities in the country.

The directive was contained in a circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Education,  directing the Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje to communicate to Rectors and Provosts of polytechnics.

The letter, which was signed by Mr I. O Folorunsho, for the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu and dated Feb. 10, was obtained by newsmen in Abuja on Monday.

” In view of concerns expressed on the security of staff, students and properties of our respective Institutions, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, has, following extensive consultations with the relevant security agencies, directed that all Polytechnics be shut down.

” And academic activities will be suspended between Wednesday, Feb.22 and Tues. March 14, 2023,” the letter reads.

The minister had urged the NBTE boss to communicate the above to all the institutions under his regulatory functions. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=================

Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Bashir Rabe Mani

By Vivian Ihechu

In line with her commitment to help young people build the capabilities and skills they need to contribute towards accelerating industrialization, Nestle Nigeria has inaugurated the Nestlé Technical Training Center (TTC), Flowergate, Sagamu, Ogun.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nestlé Nigeria’s TTC Flowergate factory is the third facility set up by Nestlé in the country.

The first Nestlé Nigeria’s technical training centre was inaugurated in 2011 at Nestlé’s Agbara factory in Ogun State.

And in 2017, Nestlé Nigeria opened the second centre in the Abaji factory, in the Federal Capital Territory to cater for young people in the Northern part of the country.

Trainees participate in an intensive 18-month programme which builds their competence in machining, mechanical fitting operations, electrical operations, instrumentation operations and automation, culminating in the prestigious London City and Guilds technical certification examination.

Speaking at the commissioning of the Nestlé Nigeria Flowergate TTC, the MD/CEO, Nestlé Nigeria, Mr Wassim Elhusseini said, “The technical training programme is an initiative of our global flagship program, Nestlé Needs Youth.

“The programme is one of the sustainable pathways through which we contribute to meeting the technical needs in the industry while enabling young Nigerians access economic opportunities.

“Young people have a key role to play in shaping the future we desire.

“We are determined to remain at the forefront of the fight against youth unemployment by helping young people develop the capabilities and skills they need to contribute towards accelerating the industrialization we need to grow our economy”.

Participants at the ceremony included parents, the trainees, the Traditional Ruler of Remoland and community leaders, representatives of the Government of Ogun State, Industry associations, and program partners including the Switzerland Embassy and Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA).

The Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbagbu said, “The set-up of Nestlé’s third technical training center in the country and second in Ogun State, attests to her commitment to manpower development.

“Capacity building and technical skills acquisition; also focus areas for the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

“ I sincerely appreciate the company for her investments towards building the competences of young people over the years and for her support and collaboration on the State Government’s effort towards improving technical education in the state”.

In his comments, Mr Wale Oyerinde, Director-General, Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA) also commented on the initiative.

“With the rising unemployment and challenged educational system, one of the sure paths to rapid national development is technical and vocational skills development.

“We commend Nestlé for her commitment and massive investment, not only in youth development but also in skills and National development.

“This effort is commendable and also worthy of emulation by other companies”.

Also speaking at the event, the Ogun State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Dr Kehinde Oluwadare said, “I congratulate Nestlé Nigeria as she continues to contribute to the development of young people in Ogun State and the nation by prioritising skills development and job creation.

“ I am particularly delighted that the vision of the company is in tandem with the focus on youth empowerment by the Prince Dapo Abiodun led Administration”.

Also, the Paramount Ruler and Akarigbo of Remoland, HRM, Alaiyeluwa Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, said, “We are proud to be associated with Nestlé, particularly on the commencement of this wonderful initiative.

“I commend the Management of the company for investing in technical education of young people, who are the future of the country.

“We will make sure the company continues to have the enabling environment to continue to do good for and within this community”.

Expressing her delight on behalf of the twenty trainees admitted into the 18-month Technical Training programme at Nestlé Nigeria’s newest TTC at the company’s Flowergate Factory, Anthonia Ehibor, said, “We are excited to be the pioneer students of Nestlé technical training centre, Flowergate.

“We appreciate Nestlé Nigeria for creating this opportunity for us to gain the skills we need to be future-ready.

“We look forward to learning, sharing ideas and networking within the 18 months of the training.

“You can count on us to put in the hard work and commitment required to make you and our parents proud”.

Ehibor, an indigene of Edo with an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Engineering from the Federal Polytechnic Auchi, said she  aspires to develop her technical competence in order to secure a good job in her chosen field.

According to her, she needs to earn an income to meet her needs and to support her family.

NAN also reports that no fewer than 160 students have benefitted from the technical training programme since its inception, with 95 per cent of them directly employed by Nestlé Nigeria.

The Country HR Manager, Nestlé Nigeria PLC, Shakiru Lawal, at the event, announced the resumption of 50 new students across the three training centres at Agbara, Abaji and Flowergate in the past week.