Education
FG Restates Commitment to Girl-Child Education
The Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, says the ministry is working assiduously in sensitising stakeholders toward ensuring the provision of quality and affordable education to the girl-child.
Tallen disclosed this on Thursday at a one-day virtual/physical international colloquium at the Distance Learning Institute (DLI) of the University of Lagos(Unilag).
The theme of the colloquium is: Recalibrating Open Distance Education and E-Learning for Resilient and Inclusive Education.
According to her, part of the efforts is developing a national strategy document that will ensure zero child marriage in the country by the year 2030.
“Over the years, crisis and other factors apart from Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have disrupted the education of the Nigerian child (girl-child).
“And these are indeed the future generation of this country.
“Fully aware of the dangers that this trend pose to national development, the ministry has also ensured that the Child Right Act 2003 was passed in 26 states and VAPP Act of 2015, passed in 19 states, among other strategies,” Tallen noted.
She acknowledged that the advent of COVID-19 had redefined the narrative and dynamics of learning processes globally, noting that e-learning had become inevitable.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, described the theme of the conference as timely and part of the institution’s modest effort in guaranteeing and improving seamless access to quality tertiary education.
“This, we do through a blended approach for the fulfilment of individual’s academic aspirations.
“Permit me to state here that the DLI in the University of Lagos, has been recording success stories in all its programmes.
“This institute has accorded countless individuals from all walks of life the opportunity and the right platform to pursue tertiary education to meet their peculiar needs.
“The Distance Learning Institute of the University of Lagos started as the Correspondence and Open Studies Unit (COSU) in 1973.
“It metamorphosed into the Correspondence and Open Studies Institute (COSIT) in 1983 and later in 1997, it became the Distance Learning Institute.
“Through the evolution of the institute, it has continued to grow and lead in the provision of Quality Open Distance and Life-Long Education opportunities for producing high level skilled manpower through a blended mode,” Ogundipe stated.
He added that in support of this pursuit, management of the institution had continue to pay close attention to the improvement of ICT facilities available at the institute.
He added that this had in turn yielding good results as evident in the hitch-free conduct of online examinations conducted at the institute over the years.
Prof. Uchenna Udeani, Director of the DLI, said the main objective of the colloquium was to bring together international and national Open Distance Education and E-Learning practioners to deliberate on the irreversible changes that have come to higher education through two major sources.
“These sources are global development and COVID-19 pandemic; and proper solutions for repositioning the Open Distance Education and E-learning for resilience and inclusiveness,” she said.
According to her, education at all levels has changed forever and the speed of change taking place today means educators must act quickly and boldly to keep up.
She added that by focusing on inclusivity, resilience and digital transformation, educational institutions could build competitive advantage.
The don noted that Open and Distance Education was one strategy that enabled economic, social, political and digital justice.
“This is in part, the essence of this colloquium,” Udeani stated. (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.