Education
NYSC Swears-in 1,132 Members in Kaduna
By Evelyn Terseer, Abuja.
Corps Members have been advised to be patriotic, diligent and imbibe the spirit of selfless service as they contribute their quota to national development.
Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, gave the charge Tuesday in his address to the One 1, 132 Corps Members deployed to Kaduna State for the 2021 Batch ‘B’ Stream One Service year.
He advised them to utilise the opportunities of the Orientation Course to create good friendship and teamwork that would add value to their service year.
The DG lectured them on the four cardinal programmes of the Scheme namely; Orientation Course, Primary Assignment, Community Development Service and Winding-Up/Passing-Out, adding that they must excel in them before they can be adjudged to have successfully completed the service year.
lbrahim cautioned them against indulging in anti-social vices, as he warned that anyone caught would be sanctioned in line with NYSC Bye-Laws.
“You must avoid cutting corners, avoid cybercrimes, avoid drugs and other social vices. Be diligent, be patriotic and cherish your integrity. You must strive to add value to the Scheme and leave lasting legacies”, he said.
In a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Adenike Adeyemi, he also advised the Corps Members to be security conscious and avoid actions that can endanger their safety.
The DG warned against embarking on unauthorized journeys, late-night movements and boarding vehicles by the roadside.
He advised them to obtain approval from the NYSC if it becomes mandatory for them to travel and ensure they board vehicles from authorized motorparks only.
The Director-General reiterated the need for them to be conscious of COVID-19 safety protocols which involves washing of hands for at least twenty seconds, appropriate use of Face Masks, use of hand sanitizer and maintaining social distancing.
“There is no COVID-19 in any of our Orientation Camps nationwide. Don’t go to town and don’t mix-up with outsiders so that your COVID-19 status wouldn’t be compromised. Delta variant is rampaging and l urge you not to let down your guards”, lbrahim added.
He advised the Corps Members on the positive use of the Social Media saying; “Use the Social Media to promote National unity. Don’t spread fake news, spread good news that will unite us as Nigerians because there is unity in diversity. NYSC was established to promote National Unity and integration”.
“Also don’t use the Social Media to smear the NYSC Scheme, your employer and the country’s image”, the DG said.
General Ibrahim implored the Corps Members to execute individual and group projects that would improve the living standards of their host communities but added that they must not execute any project with their personal money, but rather source for funds from members of their host communities.
He however advised that approval must be obtained from NYSC before embarking on such project.
The Director-General also enjoined the Corps Members to key into the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Programme of the Scheme and participate in both the in-camp and post-camp trainings which was introduced into the Orientation Course Content to empower them with skills that would make them self-employed.
He said many ex-Corps Members are today employers of labour through their involvement in NYSC SAED programme.
Ibrahim also reiterated his call for the establishment of National Youth Service Corps Trust Fund that would make funds available for Corps Members to start their business as they exit service.
“We have partnered many financial institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria, Access Bank, Unity Bank, Heritage Bank, Bank of Industry among others and they have been giving soft loans to Corps Members to finance their businesses”, he said.
The Director-General had earlier witnessed the swearing-in ceremony of the Prospective Corps Members where the Deputy Registrar, High Court of Justice Kaduna State, Mr Pius Iliya administered the Oath of Allegiance on the Prospective Corps Members deployed to the State.
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.