NEWS
Diri Advocates Seminar System of Evaluation in Tertiary Institutions.
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has advocated the introduction of a seminar system for academic performance evaluation and award of degrees in tertiary institutions in the country.
Diri made the advocacy, while speaking as the Visitor to the International Institute of Tourism and Hospitality along the Opolo/AIT Road in Yenagoa during the institution’s maiden matriculation ceremony, at the weekend.
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said no education system could turn out thorough-bred and knowledgeable graduates by solely depending on the results of periodic examinations to award degrees and other academic qualifications.
He therefore made a case for the Nigerian education system to borrow a leaf from the Western models, where seminar presentations are used as the main criteria for academic performance evaluation and award of degrees.
Governor Diri maintained that because of the rot in the Nigerian educational system over the years, the country now boasts of a lot of graduates with all classes of certificates without the requisite knowledge to back up such qualifications, stressing that it was high time the system was modified.
His words: “I want to encourage us today, that we must take the issue of our education and the standards we set for it very seriously. We must set high standards because the education we have today is still too primordial.
“We must move forward. More often than not, we still rely on examinations to determine the capacity of our students. I think the Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions should start inching out of that cauldron.
“We can’t remain in that cauldron and believe that we are bringing out well educated people. What most of our students do, is to prepare for, write and then pass their examinations. And that is the only thing they acquire.
“I believe we should adopt the seminar system of education, where students are exposed to seminars and present papers. Because for any seminar they present, there is a retained or reserved knowledge because of the research they must have conducted.”
The Bayelsa Chief Executive, who applauded his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, for his foresight in setting up the institute, called on its management to distinguish themselves by not compromising high academic standards in the institute.
He also called on the matriculating students to wholly apply themselves to their studies, saying “pleasure and studies are not compatible in the academic life of a student.”
Diri reassured the management of the Institute that his administration would fully support their programmes, as the state takes steps to carve a niche for itself in the tourism industry.
Speaking earlier as chairman of the occasion, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Iti Orugbani, thanked the Governor for providing the enabling environment for the institute to thrive.
Orugbani who highlighted that the Tourism Institute now runs national diploma programmes, encouraged the students to imbibe perseverance, hard work, humility and dedication to their studies to come out in flying colours at the end of their academic programmes at the institute.
In his welcome address, the Rector of the Bayelsa State International Institute of Tourism and Hospitality, Professor Apuega Arikawei, remarked that the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) granted operational licence to the institute in 2021.
Apuega who expressed gratitude on behalf of the institute to the Governor for his untiring efforts and commitment to educational development in the state, disclosed that the institution had been enlisted by JAMB and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).
He charged the 48 pioneer matriculating students of the institute to be serious with their studies, as their certification in their various programmes would be premised on the two-fold parameter of character and learning.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Africa, Toru Orua, Prof. Kingston Nyamapfene, also delivered a goodwill message at the ceremony officiated by the Registrar of the Institute, Dr Ovienadu Torutein.
By David Torough, Abuja
The remains of elder statesman and President General of the pan-Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, have been slated for burial on November 1.
Chairman of the burial committee, Senator Ben Obi, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Alongside with the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Amb Okey Emuchay and burial sub-committee chairmen, Senator Osita Izunaso, Gen.
Azubuike Ihejirika (retd) and others, Obi unveiled a series of activities culminating into the actual burial ceremony.“Our message today is to convey the dates for the burial of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“Lagos day of tributes, Wednesday 16th October 2024 at Eko Hotels and Convention Centre.
“Abuja Day of Tributes Friday 18th October, 2024 at the National Ecumenical Centre.
“Enugu Day of tributes, Saturday 26th October with a brief stop at Ohanaeze headquarters, 7 Parkland GRA Enugu while the main event will be held at the Okpara Square.
“Owerri Service of Songs Tuesday 29th October 2024. Commendation Service on 1st November in Owerri and Imo day of burial on Friday, 1st November 2024,” he said.
He added that further details will be communicated in due course.
On whether the Federal Government would participate in the burial, Senator Obi said the committee will visit President Bola Tinubu to intimate him about the transition of the statesman and details of his burial.
“We will be visiting President Tinubu to formally announce to him details of this transition and I am sure the President knows all that Chief Iwuanyanwu had done and he will do the needful,” he said.
Asked whether the late newspaper publisher had regrets about his inability to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and ensure the realization of a restructure federation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo scribe said Chief Iwuanyanwu died a fulfilled man because he never shies away from doing his best in the circumstance.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu and I visited Kanu in jail and I think that was his last official assignment before his demise.
“Prior to that, he had never missed any opportunity to call for the release of Kanu.
“On restructuring, he never minced his words on equity, fairness and justice and he knew that he couldn’t do it alone.
“So he operated with the South-South PANDEF, Middle Belt Forum and Afenifere. He asked for parity in the number of states in each geopolitical zone.
“We in Ohanaeze will continue to pursue these issues that were very dear to his heart and we want to give the assurances that we will not fail,” Obi said.
President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.The President has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Thursday.“President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the UK, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings,” said the statement.The high-level General Debate, with the theme, “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,”will run from Sept. 24, to Sept. 28. (NAN)
The National Examinations Council, (NECO) has released the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination results (SSCE), with 60.55 per cent of candidates securing five credits and above in English Language and Mathematics.
The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the NECO headquarters on Thursday in Minna, Niger.
Wushishi said that a total of 1,376,423 candidates, representing 706,950 males and 669,473 females, registered for the exam.
The registrar said that 1,367,736 candidates sat for the examination, representing 702,112 Males and 665,624 females.
He said that 828, 284 candidates had five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, representing 60.
55 per cent.Wushishi said that the number of candidates with five credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics, were 1,147,597, representing 83.90 per cent.
He said that there was a great reduction in the number of examination malpractices this year compared to 2023.
“The number of candidates involved in various forms of malpractice in 2024 is 8,437 as against 12,030 in 2023, which shows a reduction of 30. 1 per cent,” he said.
The registrar, however, said that 40 schools were found to be involved in mass cheating during the examination.
” During the conduct of the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), 40 schools were found to have been involved in whole school (mass) cheating in 17 states.
” They will be invited to the Council for discussion, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied.
“A school in Ekiti was recommended for de-recognition for mass cheating in two core subjects and 01 Science subject.
” Similarly, 21 Supervisors were recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, aiding and abetting, abscondment, extortion, drunkenness and negligence in 12 states,”said.
He urged candidates that sat for the examination to visit NECO website to access their results.
Wushishi said candidates can access their results on NECO website: www.neco.gov.ng using their examination registration number,” he said.(NAN)
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