Education
Niger Govt, UNICEF Engage Traditional Rulers on Girl-child Education
The Niger Government is collaborating with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to engage traditional rulers to support the sustainability of the Girl Education Project (GEP III) in the state.
The state Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Hannatu Salihu, smade tis known during a meeting with some traditional rulers in Minna.
Salihu described traditional rulers as “people whose opinions were respected by members of their communities, hence the need to engage them to ensure that all school-aged children enroll, remain, and complete school.
The objective of the meeting was to establish community accountability systems and sustainability of GEP3 as well as sensitise the traditional rulers on the project.
The commissioner called on the traditional rulers to take up the enrollent drive campaign to nooks and crannies of their communities to assist in reducing the menace of out-of-school children..
“The time has come for us to reach out to parents and guardians under your domain to ensure they are enrolled in school, retain and at least complete basic education,” she said.
In his remarks, Mr Francis Elisha, Education Officer, UNICEF Kaduna Field Office, explained that the meeting was to have mutual understanding on accountability and sustainability of GEP3.
“UNICEF has been supporting the state to implement the GEP III for a decade now.
“It is important for traditional rulers at the community level to come and have understanding of GEP3, to discuss and commit to the sustainability of the project,’’ Elisha said.
He said that the traditional rulers and education secretaries were from nine UNICEF focus local governments and solicited their commitment to the sustainability of the project as it comes to an end in June.
Also, Malam Abubakkar Yusuf, UNICEF Focal Person for the state Universal Basic Education, urged the traditional rulers to implement what they have heard.
Yusuf urged them to ensure every child was in school as well as teachers discharged their duties.
Malam Isah Alhassan, a participant from Edati Local Government, said he would meet with parents, pupils, education policy-makers at the grassroots level to sensitise them on the importance of western education.
“I will sensitise my people on the need to have western education to ensure the children are in school at the time they are supposed to be there
“And ensure teachers and school-based committee are committed to their jobs,” he said.
Another participant, Mohammed Madaki, Acting District Head of Madaka, said that he would champion the importance of girl-child education in the area and ensure that every parent sponsors his or her girl-child to school.
NAN reports that the GEP III, is an eight–year project (2012–20) that seeks to improve school access, retention and learning outcomes for girls in five northern Nigerian states.
The states are Bauchi, Niger, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara.
It is managed by the UNICEF and funded by the UK Department for International Development. (NAN)
Education
Bells Varsity Honours 91 Students with First Class at 16th Convocation
Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun, on Saturday awarded 91 students of the institution First Class (Honours) at its 16th Convocation Ceremonies.
The convocation ceremonies are for the 2023/2024 academic session.
Ojediran said that a total of 969 students graduated in the academic session.
He said that they comprised the 91 students who made First Class grade, 505 who secured Second Class (Upper Division), 313 with Second Class (Lower Division) and 60 graduating with Third Class.
The vice-chancellor said that 220 students were graduating in the post-graduate category.
Mr Sally Farouk from the university’s Department of Architecture emerged the overall best student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.
94, according to Ojediran.He said that the institution set out to proffer best solutions from collective knowledge, shared experiences and resources, recognising that education was a lifelong activity.
The vice-chancellor lauded the staff of the university for cooperation and dedication to giving the students quality education.
“You have joined hands with the management of the institution to work on this fertile ground,” he said.
The Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Bart Nnaji, said that university was the first private university of technology in Nigeria, noting that it was established in 2005.
Nnaji said that the institution had made remarkable achievements in teaching and research as part of its vision to contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria.
“Let me also congratulate the graduating students who have distinguished themselves through their hard work and discipline and are being rewarded today.” he said.
In his remarks, the Chancellor of the institution, Dr Ibrahim Dankwambo, commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo for contributions to education development in the country.
Dankwambo also congratulated a former Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola, and the Executive Director of Sahara Group, Mr Temitope Shonubi, for honorary doctoral degree given them by the university.
Report says that Okebukola and Shonubi were conferred with the degree for their outstanding pedigrees and services to humanity. (NAN)
Education
Prioritise Teachers’ Welfare, NUT President Urges Governors
President of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Audu Amba, on Tuesday, called on state governors to prioritise the welfare of teachers to enhance quality education at the grassroots.Amba made the call at the Adamawa NUT Delegates’ Conference, with the theme: “Education Challenge in an Economy of Uncertainty: Effect of Teachers,” in Yola.
While appreciating Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri for the immediate implementation of N70,000 minimum wage, he called on other governor, who had yet to implement it in their states to do so. The NUT president advised members to be productive and strive to undergo training and retraining to further enhance their efficiency and effectiveness.He called on delegates to elect leaders who would lead well and be bold enough to protect the interests of teachers.Amba also appealed to the governor to implement the minimum wage for primary school teachers and local government workers.In his address, Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Adamawa chapter, Emmanuel Fashe, decried what he called over-taxation of the civil servants in the state, following the implementation of the new minimum wage.Fashe commended the state government for the recent employment of qualified teachers, calling for employment of more, especially primary school teachers.He urged the delegates to conduct themselves in an orderly manner and vote wisely.The governor, represented by his Special Adviser on Education Reform, Prof. Sofema Geoffrey, reiterated his administration’s commitment to the development of education in the state.According to him, NUT has a lot to showcase in term of support to government to ensuring quality education in the state.Fintri urged the delegates to conduct a peaceful conference.He assured that other issues at the forum, especially the ones on over-taxation, would be put into consideration. (NAN)Education
Over 40 Students Bag First Class at FUL
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
No fewer than 41 Students out of the total number of 1,863 bagged first class degree at the 8th convocation ceremony of the Federal University, Lokoja
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, disclosed this in his speech at the 8th convocation ceremony held at the Felele main Campus of the institution in Lokoja at the weekend.
He said that 461 students were conferred with Second Class Upper and 974 got Second Class Lower while 384 students bagged Third Class and 3 students were awarded Pass Degree.
Professor Olayemi Akinwumi also announced that a total of 117 students were awarded Diploma and 216 with postgraduate degrees: Ph.
D, Master’s and PGD.He said that within his short period in office, the university had embarked on a landmark Collaboration with Rural Electrification Agency to provide reliable power generation via renewal energy solutions such as installation of campus-wide street lighting and establishment of renewable energy training centres.
The Vice Chancellor also announced that Federal University, Lokoja under his administration established the first-ever Zoo and Conservatory in Kogi state to serve not only as a significant hub for research and education but also provide a unique platform for community engagement and environmental conservation.
“It is worth noting that prior to my assumption of office in 2021, only two inaugural lectures were held at our university but now I am proud to share that we have successfully conducted a total of twenty-two inaugural lectures since then.
“In our commitment to fostering engagement with critical societal issues, we have prioritised public lectures as the cornerstone of our mission at FUL. Since our last convocation, we have successfully organized six impactful public lectures that have addressed a variety of important topics” Professor Olayemi Akinwumi further disclosed.