Education
385 Bag First Class Honours in UNIBEN’s Combined Convocations
The University of Benin says 385 undergraduates are to earn First Class Honours during its 49th/50th convocation scheduled for between Nov.
20 and 23.Prof. Lilian Salami, Vice-Chancelleor of the university, announced this on Monday in Benin during a news conference to herald the convocation ceremony . According to Salami, a total of 20,630 are graduating for the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 sessions. She said the award of first degrees would hold on Nov. 22 while that of higher degrees would come up on Nov. 23.The vice-chancellor said out of numbers, 10,609 graduated for 2021/2022 session while 10,021 graduated for 2022/2023 session.Salami also announced conferment of professors Emeritus on seven distinguished academics as well on the university’s honourary degrees on three Nigerian personalities.“It is gratifying to state that the university of Benin continues to beam its searchlight internally and nationwide to identify and honour distinguished personalities found worthy to be conferred with the recognition as Professors Emeritus and Honorary Doctorate Degrees.“Seven distinguished Professors have been approved by the Senate of the University to be recipients of the honour of Professors Emeritus at this year’s convocation,” she said.The recipients of honourary degrees, according to her, include Chief Leemon Ikpea, an Oil, Gas and construction company magnate, who would be conferred with Doctor of Business Administration.She said Dr Kingsley Momodu; an alumnus and renowned dentist would be conferred with Doctor of Science and a foremost entrepreneur and Chairman, VESA Fisheries, Mrs Veronica Igbe, would tbe honoured with Doctor of Business Administration.Salami, who said the convocation ceremony would be her last as the vice-chancellor of the school, recounted her achievements throughout the five year tenure at the ivory tower.She said the milestone achievements included establishment of Information Communications Technology/Central Research Processing Unit (ICT/CRPU) and Centre For Educational Technology (CET)“Management of the University has not relented in the efforts to re-position the Institution in the top hierarchy of Institutions of global reckoning.“In this regard, the University has acquired over 100 additional desktop computers for computer-based examinations for the ICT Centre and 200 Desk-tops and lap-top computers distributed across departments and units to facilitate cutting-edge technology-driven assignments.“These are aided by the provision of internet services, some of which are undertaken directly by many of the faculties.“The ICT Unit, in the Vice Chancellor’s Office, now successfully deploys electronic voting in any election for which such mode is required,” she said.She also claimed that automation of the registry and bursary departments sponsored by Latter Day Saints was on-going.She counted various infrastructure development the university had been able to attract under her watch.She said that the infrastructure included ultra-modern office buildings, lecture theatres, multimedia gadgets and faculty buildings, among others . (NAN)Education
UBEC Boss Meets Ribadu on School Safety, Access
The Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba, has met with the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, to discuss initiatives aimed at enhancing the country’s educational access and security.
A statement on Sunday in Abuja by David Apeh, UBEC’s Head of Public Relations and Protocol,said the meeting focused on strategies to address challenges in the education sector.
Apeh quoted Garba to have said that the meeting was aimed at addressing the safety of schools, particularly in vulnerable regions and the promotion of equitable education for all children.
According to her, the meeting highlighted the critical intersection between education and national security and the need for collaboration between UBEC and Office of the National Security Adviser.
This, she said, was geared toward improving access to basic education and safety of schools across the nation.
“This collaboration underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a secure and inclusive learning environment as part of its broader agenda to strengthen the nation’s educational framework,” she said.
The UBEC boss pledged to engage critical stakeholders to break down barriers to education and create inclusive learning opportunities for children across the six geopolitical regions of the country.
“My goal is to deliver on this mandate which includes strengthening collaboration, partnerships and institutional learning for effective service delivery.
“Together, we will work to increase access, improve quality, provide conducive and safe learning environments, supply adequate teaching and learning materials” she said.
She added that the commission was determined to adopt the concept of ‘best fit’ in addressing specific basic education challenges across the country. (NAN)
Education
FG Allocates N940bn to TETfund in 2025 Budget -Tinubu
The Federal Government says it has allocated N940.5 billion to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in the 2025 fiscal year, to enhance manpower and infrastructure development in the education sector.
President Bola Tinubu stated this on Saturday at the 42nd Founders’ Day and 33rd Convocation of the Federal University of Technology, Minna. Represented by Rakiya Iliyasu, Director of Tertiary Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Tinubu said the gesture was demonstrating his administration commitment towards improving educational infrastructure and manpower. He said the federal government had disbursed over N104 billion loans to more than 600,000 students across tertiary institutions under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to fostering a knowledge-driven society, prioritising education in its policies and funding initiatives.He urged universities to deepen collaborations with industries, aligning research with societal needs to contribute meaningfully to national development.The president congratulated the graduates for their resilience and determination, and enjoined them to embrace their new chapter with confidence and purpose.The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Faruk Adamu-Kuta described the institution’s 42nd Founders’ Day and 33rd Convocation Ceremony as historical.He said the university had grown to become a leading institution in technological education in the country, ranking 8th on the index of best universities in Nigeria and 2nd among specialised universities.Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger, expressed gratitude to the university for confering on him a Doctorate Degree in Agriculture, saying that it served as a call to do more in the sector.He reiterated commitment to collaborate with individuals to make education accessible to every citizen of the state, and urged the university to continue to take the lead in training and innovative research.Bago advocated for stronger ties with the state government to ensure the institution’s sustainability through agriculture.The governor donated N100 million to the endowment fund established by Sen. Muhammad Sani-Musa, who also donated N200 million.The university produced 5,816 graduates for the 2023/2024 academic session, comprising 4,955 undergraduates, 632 Master’s degree, 105 postgraduate diploma, and 124 PhD holders. (NAN)Education
FUNAAB Students Received N133m Loans from NELFUND in 2024 — VC
More than 1,300 students of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) received loans totaling N133 million from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) in 2024, the institution’s Vice-Chancellor says.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olusola Kehinde, said at a news conference in Abeokuta on Wednesday that more funds were still being awaited for another batch of students numbering 1,638.
Report says that NELFUND’s establishment was part of the attention being paid to education in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s government.
The loan scheme is aiming to help Nigerian students achieve sustainable higher education and functional skills development.
Kehinde said the funding being awaited for the additional 1,638 students would take the total number of students who have benefitted from NELFUND to over 3,000.
“We got N133 million from NELFUND for the school fees of about 1,300 students for 2024.
“So, we encourage our students, we give them information and we are expecting more even in this session.
“We are encouraging the students through our Information Communication Technology (ICT) centre. We let them know that NELFUND is available and what to do to assess it,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor said the institution was assisting the students to apply through the use of the ICT centre.
“NELFUND will also send us a list of the students and ask us to confirm and within 48 hours we do our confirmation and send back to them.
“So, now we can say that in FUNAAB, NELFUND is working, and we are happy about that,” he added.(NAN)