Education
TETFund, FIRS Hold Interactive Session on Education Tax
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in collaboration with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has held an interactive session towards an enhanced Education Tax drive in the year 2022.
The Executive Secretary of TETFund Professor Suleman Elias Bogoro represented by the Director Strategic Planning and Development of the Fund, Erivwo Irene said the interactive forum created opportunity for TETFund and FIRS to map out strategies in the collection of Education Tax in the country.
Bogoro stated this yesterday during the joint interactive forum with the theme: “Improving EDT Collection in the Post Pandemic” held at Crispan Hotel in Jos the Plateau State capital.
He pointed out that the Fund in 2021 received the sum of N189 billion as Education Tax (EDT) considered to be lower than previous years collection due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
“It has therefore become necessary for TETFund and the FIRS to increase its drive in Education Tax collection to enable the Fund meet up with the challenges and its commitment to the development of our Tertiary Education systems.
“In the years 2021, the Fund received EDT collection of N189 billion naira,which was considerably lower than the previous year collection. We are aware that economic activities were seriously slowed down and in some cases halted from March 2020 when lockdown was imposed and movement within the country was restricted.”
The Executive Secretary however maintained that the engagement will enable the Fund discharge it’s mandate in the provision of essential “Infrastructure, Equipment and instructional materials as well as academic staff training and development programme, research and funding all other critical activities as directed by the Federal Government.”
He disclosed that the Fund has witnessed an increased in the number of institutions in recent times, established by states or Federal Government which they are saddled with the responsibility of providing intervention to such up coming Institutions across the country.
The TETFund boss further stated that the repeated increased in the National Research Fund intervention from N5 billion to 7.5 in 2020 to 8.5 billion in year 2021 is a case in point,” and the funding and establishment of 12 Centres of Excellence in selected beneficiaries’ Institutions each in 2020 and 2021 is another notable achievements of the Fund in the country.
The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Muhammed Nami represented by the Coordinating Director Compliance Support Group of the Agency Dr. Dick Irri said the partnership has yielded positive results stressing that the Agency remains one of it’s key partner in revenue collection in the country especially in the area of Education Tax (EDT).
He said the Revenue Agency will be deploying technology in the year 2022 henceforth for the collection of the Education Tax in the country.
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.