Education
Kogi Poly Renews Collaboration with Delaware State University
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, has renewed its partnership with the University of Delaware on human capital development, agriculture, and information and communication technology.
The collaboration is aimed at strengthening its bilateral relations with the American university and expose the poly students and personnel to latest trends in agriculture, vocation, science and technology.
The renewed collaboration will also see the Kogi State Polytechnic and other state-owned tertiary institutions benefit from the exchange of fresh programmes, students and facilities with the Delaware State University.
This was part of the outcome of the meeting between the management of the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, the officials from the DACC and the State Government held at the Polytechnic’s main campus in Lokoja, yesterday.
Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Wemi Jones who led the team to Kogi State Polytechnic, said the meeting was a further step towards achieving positive collaboration following last year’s opening of relationship between Kogi State and the DACC.
Hon. Jones believed the alliance would aide students and youth in the state to be empowered in various aspects of human endeavour just as he expressed confidence that the collaboration would yield positive outcome between the two bodies.
Representative of Delaware State University, Professor Samuel Besong expressed gratitude to the Kogi State Government for the collaboration.
He disclosed that his visit to Kogi State Polytechnic and other state-owned tertiary institutions was to create global exposure and to partner with institutions for exchange of ideas through Information Communication Technology, ICT.
Prof. Besong added that the DACC established the collaboration with the aim of exchanging new modules and curriculum with the institutions for the benefit of students and lecturers which would serve as platform suitable for training and adding additional skills to them in their chosen fields.
He however, urged the management of the Kogi State Polytechnic to tap from the opportunity of international areas of collaboration as the University would always be open to more alliances.
The Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Mukadam Asiwaju Idris Ashiru in his remark, opined that partnership with the international community like DACC would produce human capital development with the aid of good leadership.
He stressed the need to solve Agricultural challenges in the country just as he disclosed that with the advent of modern technology, agricultural produce could generate multiple output of products to sustain the human race.
The Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman who stated that the present global focus on Polytechnic education is vocational, practical, research and skills development added that the partnership would see graduates of the Polytechnic to be equipped with broader knowledge that would help them become employers of labour.
While appreciating the team for the visit and the opportunity that awaited the Polytechnic, Dr. Usman added that the institution would fast-track process of signing the Memorandum of Understanding (M.O.U) for the quick take-off of the exchange programs.
The highlight of the meeting was the visit of the delegation to the Art Studio, Textile Room, Sculpture House and Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC) domiciled at the main campus of the Polytechnic.
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.