Education
Osinbajo Harps on Transparency as $80m World Bank Assisted Procurement Project Begins
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has stressed the need for transparency and accountability in procurement processes for the overall growth of the nation.The vice president made the call at the launch of Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement(SPESSE) Project, a World Bank Assisted Project in Abuja on Thursday.
Osinbajo, who noted that procurement touched on every sector of the economy, stressed that huge amount of financial resources often went into procurement, thereby encouraging some form of financial waste. “The procurement system mustbe strengthened by entrenching transparency and accountability at all levels of government.“Issues relating to construction, rehabilitation and extension of existing buildings, acquisition and development of lands, purchase of laboratory equipment, disposal of reagent and samples from sick people and animals, amongst others must conform with world standards.“To achieve these, there is an absolute need to build adequate technical capacity required for efficient and effective procurement, environmental and social safeguard systems,” he said.He expressed optimism that investment in the SPESSE project would help institutionalise the practice of procurement, environmental and social standards in Nigeria.The vice president disclosed that the SPESSE project was in line with the National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of the Federal Government, aimed at restoring growth, investing in people and building a globally competitive economy.He pointed out that “the particular objective of investing in people has job creation and youth empowerment as one of the ways to invest.”Osinbajo commended the National Universities Commission(NUC) for its role in helping to institutionalise the study of procurement, environmental and social standards in the Nigerian University System.He commended other stakeholders for working towards the success of the SPESSE project, while stating that the choice six centres, each in one of the six geopolitical zones would ensure inclusiveness and guarantee maximum benefits.In his remarks, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri, expressed optimism that the project would yield desired result.He said, “there is need for human capital development and this is what this project has to offer.“I am trilled that this critical need is going to be addressed through SPESSE.“We look forward to working with all of you.”In his remarks, the NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, said the journey towards the launch of the project was painstaking.He, however, expressed joy that the journey towards offering professional and academic activities to ensure good governance, effectiveness in service delivery among other things had started.The SPESSE project Coordinator, Dr Joshua Atah said SPESSE, a five year project, has a total budget of 80 million dollars, with 37.5 per cent being allocated for technical assistance.He added that the remaining 62 per cent would only by disbursed based on performance, using Disbursement Link Indicators (DLI).According to him, six centres of excellence have been earmarked to run the courses for the project.He listed the centres as “University of Lagos, Federal University of Technology Owerri, University of Benin, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi.”Atah noted that the target was to train about 25,240 candidates within the lifespan of the project in the six chosen universities, where about 30 short courses will be offered among other things.Atah said over 3000 short courses would be available for female students because of the gender friendly nature of the project, while 30 per cent of the entire learning process of the project would be online.He pointed out “that 11 entities are saddled with the responsible of implementing the project, including NUC, Ministry of Finance among others.“The project is aimed at developing sustainable capacity in managing procurement, environmental and social standards in the public and private sectors.“About 66 per cent of the resources for this project will be dedicated to procurement, while environmental and social standards enhancement would allocated 16 per cent.“The Federal Government took a bold step approached the World Bank and took a credit to build capacity in procurement, environmental and social standards to enhance sustainable development and that is what we are launching today. The presentations and goodwill messages were offered by the Task Team Leader for the project, Bayo Awosemusi, Minister of Education, Minister of Women Affairs, Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement among others.(NAN)
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has re-scheduled the 2024 National Common Entrance Examination into Federal Unity Colleges and the entrance examination into Federal Government Academy, Suleja.
This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday by Azeez Sani, acting Director, Information and Digital Communication of the council.
Sani stated that the common entrance examination earlier scheduled for April 20, 2024, would now hold on June 1, 2024.
He also said that the entrance examination for Gifted and Talented Children into Federal Government Academy, Suleja, earlier scheduled to hold on May 4,
2024 would now hold on May 25, 2024.
He added that the rescheduling of the two examinations was due to low enrollment of candidates.
He enjoined candidates, parents, guardians, schools and relevant stakeholders to take note of the new dates.
Sani said that registration of candidates would continue till the new dates of the examinations. (NAN)
By Eddy Ochigbo
No fewer than six Nigerian Universities have been selected to benefit from the 15 Intra-Africa Mobility Scheme Projects funded by the European Union (EU) with €27 million under the flagship Youth Mobility for Africa.
Permanent Secretary, of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs.
Didi Walson-Jack, who signed the agreement at the Global Gateway High-Level Event on Education in Brussels, said Nigeria would also benefit from the regional Team Europe Initiative on Opportunity-driven Skills, Vocational Education and Training in AfricaUnder the initiative, the European Union would spend €27 million, allocating €1.
8 million to each of the Projects in the education and healthcare sectors in Africa.These Projects, which are to be facilitated by various Universities, aim to enhance learning mobility opportunities for Students, Trainees, and Staff across the Continent, focusing on developing high-level green and digital skills.
The participating Universities include the University of Lagos, the University of Port-Harcourt, Ebonyi State University, the Federal University of Technology, and the University of Nigeria.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the police have warned candidates preparing for the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) against patronising fake websites.
The two bodies gave the warning at a joint news conference in Abuja on Saturday.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said there were several fake websites created by unscrupulous individuals with the intention of misleading candidates.
He urged candidates to be wary of their tactics, saying the fake web sites were designed to deceive innocent candidates into providing personal details such as registration numbers, email addresses, and phone numbers.
“Both JAMB and the Nigeria Police Force condemn these fraudulent activities and hereby reiterate the readiness to safeguard the interests of candidates and maintain the integrity of the examination process.
“We urge parents, guardians, and all stakeholders to ensure that candidates print their UTME Notification Slips only from the Board’s approved website: www.jamb.gov.ng.
“Candidates can print their slips from the comfort of their homes or visit any of the over 700 accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide,” he said.
Adejobi explained that the force was familiar with the tactics employed by fraudsters, especially during the annual assessment and admission exercises.
He, therefore, said that both organisations was actively sensitising candidates and the public about these deceptive practices.
“Any candidate who visits these fake sites will definitely have unreliable information and thereby miss out in the forthcoming exams.
“Candidates are advised to print their UTME Notification Slips before Friday, 19th April, 2024, to access vital information about their examinations.
“Any website other than www.jamb.gov.ng offering UTME slip printing services is fake and designed to defraud candidates,” he said.
He also called on candidates to beware of web sites offering ‘live’ questions and answers, as they were false and deceptive, saying that accessing such materials was prohibited.
He further said the board was partnering with the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC) to address online scam-related issues seamlessly.
He assured candidates and the public of the force firm dedication to ensuring a fair and transparent examination process.
He also stressed that the Inspector General of Police had ordered the NPF-NCCC to go after scammers and fraudsters who engage in cyber related crimes and create phishing sites/portals.
On his part, the JAMB spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin, pledged the Board’s commitment to continue in playing its role
He, therefore, urged candidates to ignore any unsolicited messages noting that they were from elements who aim at defrauding candidates.
The 2024 UTME is scheduled to commence on Friday, April 19, and end on April 29. (NAN)
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