Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo, on Wednesday, embarked on inspection of schools in the state, frowning at the dilapidation of structures and poor sanitary condition in most of the schools.

Report says that Okpebholo was accompanied on the inspection by the Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Paddy Iyamu, and other top government functionaries.

The governor visited Eweka Primary School, Obazagbon; Oroma Primary School, Amagba; Amagba Secondary School and Uyiosa Primary School, Uzebu, all in Oredo Local Government Area of the state.

Okpebholo, who also bemoaned the security and learning conditions of the schools, expressed disappointment over the immediate administration’s education reform programme, known as “EdoBEST”.

He said that rather than improving the fortunes of Edo children, the initiative had deprived them of comfortable learning environment.

At Eweka Primary School, the governor said: “Look at the situation of this school; it is terrible as children are here, and this is the so-called EdoBest. For me, this is not acceptable. My administration will fix this school.

“This school must be fenced and by next Friday, I will be here to see the level of work done because work will commence and in the next few days, you will see transformation in this school.

“This school has just five teachers. My administration will correct the wrongs and make amends because our job is to make Edo people happy and our children educated, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

At Oroma Primary School, Okpebholo said that his renewed hope agenda for the people would be different from the PDP’s EdoBEST.

“New things will happen in this school. All what they don’t have will be provided; in the next few days, construction will be going on here,” he said.

The governor promised to rebuild some schools, provide security and fence those without fences, warning those encroaching on school lands to desist.

Report says that some residents of the areas visited by the governor, who trooped out to welcome him, lauded the move. (NAN)

No fewer than 519 graduands bagged First Class Honours as the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) holds its combined 34th and 35th Convocation in the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions.

The Vice Chancellor of FUTA, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, stated this on Friday in Akure during a news conference heralding the convocation on Nov.

Oladiji explained that a total of 6,405 students would graduate from the certified 59 academic programmes run by the institution.

She added that 3,408 students had Second Class (Upper Division) while 2,139 students had Second Class (Lower Division) while 339 students got Third Class from the two academic sessions.

The vice chancellor said that the university would also confer postgraduate diploma, Masters and Doctoral degrees on 960 graduands.

Oladiji noted that two overall graduating best students, Faith Faromika and Aanuoluwapo Vitowanu, were recorded in the 2022/2023 academic session with Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.96 each.

She stressed that the overall best graduating best student in the 2023/2024 academic session, Joshua Ajakaye, had a CGPA of 4.95.

Oladiji said that the three overall best students were from the School of Engineering of the university.

The vice chancellor stated that the university would confer honorary doctoral degrees on Pastor Daniel Olukoya, the Founder of Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries; Mr Ayorinde Ogunruku and Mr Joel Ogunsola.

She added that the three personalities had contributed meaningfully to the standard of education in the university.

Oladiji said that one of the highlights of the convocation would be the convocation lecture titled: “Technological Innovation: A Panacea to Food Insecurity”.

The vice chancellr explained that the lecture would be delivered by Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior.

She enumerated series of achievements and feats recorded by the university’s staff and graduates in the country, and in the international sphere.

Oladiji said that the institution had been nominated the best University of Technology in Nigeria for three consecutive times.

According to her, the university will not relent on its oars by churning out self-reliant graduates that will be of immense benefit to the nation.

“‘Our students are trained to be self-reliant and they are employable. We have entrepreneurial skills that our students have to undergo.

“Despite challenges, our collective efforts have paved way for successful milestones recorded as an institution,” she said. (NAN)

President Bola Tinubu has dissolved the Governing Council of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State.

Tinubu also approved the removal of Prof. Bernard Odoh, the new Vice Chancellor, and Mrs Rosemary Nwokike, the registrar of the university.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

Onanuga explained that council was led by Amb.

He said that the sacking of the governing council and officials followed reports that the council illegally appointed an unqualified vice-chancellor without following due process.

He also said that after the controversial appointment, the Federal Government stepped in to address tensions between the university’s Senate and the governing council of the 33-year-old institution.

The presidential aide said that the government expressed concern over the council’s apparent disregard for the university’s governing laws in its selection process.

Similarly, Onanuga said Tinubu also approved the removal of Mr Ohieku Muhammed Salami as the Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the governing council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue state.

He stated that the decision followed Salami’s illegal actions, including suspending the Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures.

Onanuga said that despite the Federal Ministry of Education’s call for the unlawful suspension to be revoked Salami refused to comply.

” Instead, he resorted to abusive and threatening behaviour towards the Ministry’s Directors, including the Permanent Secretary.

” The Federal Government reiterated that the primary responsibility of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of university activities in accordance with the act establishing each university.

” Tinubu warned the councils not to create distractions in their universities as his government is focused on improving the country’s education standards,” Onanuga said. (NAN)