The Nation Newspaper

Category: Education

  • Varsities’ dons: how Kwara rural dwellers can adapt to climate change

    Varsities’ dons: how Kwara rural dwellers can adapt to climate change

    Geographers and urban planners are researching into how Kwara State rural dwellers can adapt to and mitigate climate change and heat wave.

    The researchers were drawn from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lead City University, Ibadan and the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER).

    The experts drew stakeholders to Kwara State for participatory sessions to co-design and co-produce the study and engaging representatives from rural communities, government ministres, departments, agencies (MDAs) and the private sector to focus on the effects of flood, droughts, and heat wave “on the marginalised rural and urban populations”.

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    The theme of the programme was: “A Pan-African and Transdisciplinary Lens on the Margins – Tackling the Risks of Extreme Events” (PALM TREES,).

    The research is funded under the Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CLARE) Programme of the United Kingdom (UK) International Development and Canadian International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

    It is being carried out simultaneously in six African countries and it is aimed at finding enduring solutions to the negative effects of climate change on farmers in the rural areas and their livelihoods.

    Head, Department of Geography, UNILAG, Prof Mayowa Fasona, said: “Now by climate change parlance, we are getting to a stage where situations are becoming more cumbersome and complex. So, the adaptation had to be stronger. We need to help the communities with new ideas on how to adapt to climate change effects.

    “The project is focused on the experiences with climate extreme events of those living on the margins, including women, people with disability, elderly and orphans among others, will help the participants on how they  prepare, adjust, and cope with the impacts of climate extremes on their livelihoods and health with a view to designing and implementing transformational interventions to strengthen their resilience.”

    Also, Prof. Andrew Onwuemele of NISER emphasised the need for the adoption and uptake of the expected research output by all concerned as it is only through this that the research could aid sustainable development, “particularly in strengthening the adaptation and resilience of the marginalised people and communities to climate change”.

    Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, Lead City University, Ibadan, Grace Oloukoi, hinted that the session was to gather input  from the relevant stakeholders to see how climate extremes have impacted their living and livelihoods so as to enrich the expected outputs of the research.

    The expected output, according to her, are expected to reduce barriers to sustainable knowledge networks, more equitable relationships between communities, practitioners, researchers and policymakers. She added that their study would also focus on “sustainable change” and transferable methodology.

  • ‘Secret of our pupils’ distinction in UTME’

    ‘Secret of our pupils’ distinction in UTME’

    There has been a growing concern on what the future holds for education in the country, following the performances of students at the just-concluded 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) organised by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination. Our correspondents speak to some schools, whose pupils performed well in the examination. FRANK IKPEFAN, DAMOLA KOLA-DARE, VICTORIA AMADI report.

    The widespread failure in the recent Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is a matter of great concern to everyone.

    Since 2022, there has been a decline in the performances of pupils, who sat for the UTME. In 2023, 5,311 candidates, representing 0.3 per cent scored 300 and above; 56,649 candidates, representing 3.7 per cent scored 250 and above; 355,179 candidates, representing 23 per cent scored 200 and above. Also, 1,164,893 candidates, representing 77 per cent scored below 200.

    In 2022, 5,833 candidates, representing 0.33 per cent scored 300 and above; 65,327 candidates (3.71 per cent) scored 250 and above; 385,757 candidates (22 per cent) scored 200 and above. About 1, 323, 631 candidates (78 per cent) scored below 200.

    The board, through its Registrar, Is-haq Oloyede, announced that over 1,989, 668 million candidates sat for the 2024 examination. Oloyede, who spoke at a news conference, said the examination body withheld results of about 64,624 candidates over possible violations. About 80,810 were absent during the scheduled dates of the examination. A total of 1,842,464 candidates had their results released.

    Oloyede added that 8,401, representing 0.5 percent of candidates, scored 300 and above in the examination. Also, 77,070 representing 4.2 per cent, scored 250 and above. A total of 439,974 representing 24 per cent scored 200 and above. Also, 1, 402,490, representing 76 per cent, scored below 200.

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    In the midst of the declining performance, few schools have consistently shown resilience, dedication, and commitment, producing top-notch pupils who have done well in the UTME. Some of these schools are: Deeper Life High School (DLHS), Archdeacon Brown Education Centre, Day and Boarding, Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Hallel College, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    In separate interviews with The Nation, they explained how they prepared their pupils to sit for the examination.

    Deeper Life High School: our zero-tolerance stance on examination malpractice

    Executive Secretary, Deeper Life High School (DLHS), Mrs. Thelma Malaka, said the school’s zero-tolerance stance on examination malpractice continues to stand it in good stead. She said the school operates on four D’s: Decision, desire, determination and discipline.

    She said: “Deeper Life High School is a faith-based institution that places God first in all things. Everyone in the system believes in God. We take prayer, hard work and discipline seriously. We don’t entertain examination malpractice. Our students must write examinations themselves. Anyone who asks for help in an examination is either told to repeat the class or leave the school.

    “We are operating on four Ds: decision, desire, determination and discipline. For our students, success is a decision. We enrolled 870 students across our campuses nationwide, and the best so far, Adeyemi Godsgift Ibukunoluwa of our Warri campus in Delta State, scored 362. We are still expecting some results and I believe there will be more excellent performances.

    “As a school, we told our pupils the benchmark is 380; while the least score should be 200. Thus, out of 870 candidates, only six had less than 200. No fewer than 175 scored above 300. Our children are well-groomed. They enter the examination hall confident because they have been well-taught and made to believe they don’t need any assistance in any examination.”

    On whether the school can replicate this performance next year, Malaka said there is no stopping their pupils if they maintain the high standards they have already set.

    “I don’t see why we should not repeat this excellent performance if we maintain the standard we already set. The average Nigerian child is highly intelligent. The problem is examination malpractice. Our children grow up thinking they need help to pass examinations. Students fail because of the culture of not doing things themselves. They don’t rely on themselves, hence, they fail. For us in Deeper Life High School, we don’t do that. With this, their minds are fresh because they are well-groomed to be self-reliant and confident. If other schools emulate us, they will equally perform excellently like us,” Malaka said.

    Brown Education Centre: we give our pupils preparatory classes

    To the Principal of Archdeacon Brown Education Centre, Day and Boarding, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Kerian Mmoh, the pupils made the school proud this year.

    “They scored 300 and above in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). We registered 42 candidates and 13 of them scored above 300. We are so proud and we have been celebrating them. The centre has a history of excellent performance in UTME, but this year’s was exceptional.

    “Before the examination, we were afraid because some of them were not really strong, but with constant practice and continuous evaluation and assessment, we were able to take them up to speed. What we did differently was to give them preparatory classes, where mock exams were administered as a build-up to the exams, and that worked wonders for us. The candidates are not relaxing, they are preparing for their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), we are not relenting, we are still pushing to make them understand that without the WASSCE, they are going nowhere regardless of their UTME scores. We are encouraging them to double their efforts to also do well in WASSCE.

    “Aside the verbal congratulatory messages for the candidates, we organised a reception for them and a few gift items were given to them. We are also preparing to give them cash award, but that would be during our valedictory service when they would be exiting school; there, we would celebrate them more.

    “It is not enough to teach and give instructions to students, continuous assessment/evaluation is key. We will continue to do that just as we did for this present set. The ones coming behind should key into the secret, they should not relent, they should continue to work hard and study more for exams. They should start early, preparation is necessary because the syllabus is voluminous. They should start studying now as though they have no time, this will culminate in overall success for them in the long run,” Mmoh explained:

    Hallel College: how 37 of our pupils score 300 and above

    Hallel College Port Harcourt has once again raised the bar of academic excellence with its performance in the UTME. The school has consistently distinguished itself as a beacon of excellence in the education sector.

    Hallel College Port Harcourt has earned widespread acclaim for its unwavering commitment to nurturing and shaping the character of its pupils, ensuring they shine brightly both before God and society. The school’s achievements have firmly established it as a formidable force in the realm of education.

    The results of this year’s UTME serve as a testament to Hallel College’s dedication to academic excellence. Breaking its own record by a significant margin, the school witnessed an impressive performance with 37 of its students scoring 300 and above.

    Leading the pack is Master Emarievbe Oghenemudiakevwe, whose exceptional score of 360 reflects the calibre of pupils produced by the college.

    This feat is attributed to a combination of factors, including the school’s commitment to fostering a culture of academic achievement, the strategic deployment of students’ interests towards shared goals, the integration of cutting-edge technology in teaching and learning, a culture of discipline and hard work, and above all, a deliberate choice to place God at the centre of every endeavour.

    The school expressed profound gratitude for the divine favour and guidance that have propelled them to such remarkable heights. They emphasised that their success serves as a testament to the grace and goodness of God, and they are humbled to be a vessel of praise.

  • ‘Geophysics is solution to building collapse’

    ‘Geophysics is solution to building collapse’

    A Professor of Geophysics in University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lukumon Adeoti, has noted that the rightful application of geophysics into subsoil investigation will help curb the menace of building collapse.

    Adeoti made this known at his inaugural lecture, entitled: “Geophysicist and human survival”, at J.F. Ade-Ajayi Auditorium, UNILAG.

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    It was a captivating journey through the lens of the seasoned geophysics in the areas of mineral exploration, oil and gas, agricultural, engineering, environmental and forensic geophysics.

    Adeoti noted that waste deposit represents one of the important and actual environmental problems that pose a huge risk for the environment.

     “All through the recent past, unlined disposal sites have been filled with household refuse and different kinds of potentially dangerous industrial waste. This poses a huge risk for the environment, and is the main source for groundwater contamination. Once waste is deposited on a dumpsite, pollution can arise from degradation of waste and the migration of leachate,” he stated.

  • Firm donates laundry facility, 40 washing machines to BUK

    Firm donates laundry facility, 40 washing machines to BUK

    The Aspira Corporation on Tuesday donated an ultra-modern Laundromat with 40 state of the art washing machines to the Bayero University Kano (BUK).

    The donation is a nationwide project to ease life for students living on campuses across the country.

    The same facility had been donated to the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and University of Ibadan (UNIBADAN), it was learnt.

    In Kano, the inauguration of the Viva Laundromat took place at BUK old site on Tuesday.

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    Spokesperson of the organisation, Linda Aguacha, said the laundry facility is donated as a corporate social responsibility for students to wash their clothes and alleviate their difficulties.

    “This is part of our social responsibility because we want the students to focus on what is important, focus on their education and their personal growth, which is why we donate this so that they can wash their clothes for free. Laundry does not have to be a problem anymore.

    “We hope that the students will enjoy it and use it very well for the betterment of themselves. I also hope it will last very long.

    “It is a self-service state of the art laundry with two sections. We have the section with the washing machines, where you will go and put your clothes and it washes them for you. You wait aside reviewing your book. When the clothes are washed, you then take them to the dryer and it will dry them for you, free of charge; no fees attached.”

    The university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adamu Sagir, expressed appreciation with the cooperation they are enjoying from the company. He thanked them for donating the laundry facility to the university.

  • Benue SUBEB, police partner on Security in Schools

    Benue SUBEB, police partner on Security in Schools

    Chairman of Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Grace Adagba, has sought collaboration between the board and Police to bolster security measures in basic education schools across the state.

    Adagba spoke during a visit to the Commissioner of Police, Steve Yabanet, at the Police Headquarters Makurdi.

    In a statement by the board’s spokesperson, Akese Emmanuella, the chairman emphasised the imperative of fostering a harmonious relationship with the police, highlighting the incessant challenges of theft, vandalism and other security breaches plaguing public schools.

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    She cited a recent incident in Makurdi, where there was an attempted abduction of school children, underscoring the urgent need for ensuring the safety of learners, teachers and school property.

    Yabanet acknowledged the existing synergy between the police and schools, particularly through initiatives like the Safe Schools programme.

    He urged school administrators to maintain close communication with security agencies, ensuring they have access to emergency contact numbers of law enforcement agents within their vicinity.

    This proactive approach, he emphasised, would facilitate prompt response to security incidents, thereby fostering a conducive environment for teaching and learning.

    Highlighting the effectiveness of such collaborations, Yabanet shared a recent success story where the police thwarted an attempted kidnapping at a school in Makurdi, underscoring the importance of continuous cooperation between SUBEB and law enforcement agencies.

    The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to a robust partnership aimed at safeguarding schools  and preserving the well-being of learners and staff members.

  • Group urges govt to implement policy on education for PWAs

    Group urges govt to implement policy on education for PWAs

    The Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN) has urged the Federal Government to implement the national policy on albinism.

    In a communiqué signed by Programme Manager of the association, Joseph Akuse, at the end of a one-day meeting on Advancing policy implementation on inclusive education for persons with Albinism(PWAs) in Nigeria, AAN  stressed the need for the implementation of the policy developed in 2012 and assented to in 2019.

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    It said: “In 2012, a Ministerial Committee was set up by the then Honourable Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, to develop a National Policy on Albinism. This immediately started with the involvement of multifarious committee comprising of representatives from Federal Ministries of Education, Health, Women Affairs and Social Development, Justice, Finance, Labour and Employment; Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and many other parastatals and private organisations.

    “After the draft and justification of the policy through the appropriate quarters, it was finally assented in 2019 to last for a period of five years after which a review will be done to keep space with the current humanitarian and environmental activities. But unfortunately, this was not implemented as intended and up till now, PWAs are suffering and it seems there is no hope even though a national policy supporting our course of living was initiated.”

    The association noted that the implementation should be based on four points, including, legal, education, health social security and other services.

    It urged government and non-governmental organisations to provide visual and other learning aids for PWAs through Special Needs Education Branch at the federal, state and local government levels, adding that school counsellors and teachers should counsel and guide students on the albinism in basic, secondary and tertiary institutions.

  • How we’re addressing transcripts, certificates issues, by OOU VC

    How we’re addressing transcripts, certificates issues, by OOU VC

    Amid complaints by graduates of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) Ago-Iwoye arising from inability to collect their transcripts and certificates, the institution authorities have given insight into how the issues are being tackled, ERNEST NWOKOLO reports.

    The joy of every student is to graduate and collect one’s transcript and result quickly from his or her alma mater. Availability of these two vital academic documents is critical to effective decision-making by the holder, whether to seek employment or further one’s studies.

      But where a cloud of shock and uncertainty hover over these records regarding availability, it leaves the graduate in a quandary, stalls ambitions and even truncates life dreams or opportunities.

    This is the fate many OOU graduates have been subjected to in the last two or three decades ago, with some of them recounting how they missed valuable job offers, admissions for further studies and in worse scenario, jobs termination, especially when employers could not get the institution to verify or authenticate their credentials bearing OOU.

    The Nation reported the cases of efforts spanning over 36 and 12 months made by two graduates of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, to access their transcripts without success.

    The two graduates – Feyisara and Comfort (not real names), who graduated in 1997, have done everything to get their transcripts to no avail. It has been one excuse or the other by the institution since they applied for the transcripts. Feyisara, who resides in Ekiti State, applied for hers in March 2021. The United States (U.S.)-based Comfort did so in March 2023. They paid the mandatory N50,000 processing fee along with their applications.

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    While Feyisara has heard nothing from OOU more than three years after applying for her transcript, Comfort, who applied for hers at UNILAG and OOU in March, last year, got the document from UNILAG alone. The only response they have been getting from OOU is to exercise patience. They said their patience have run out as they require the transcript for further self-development.

    But the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, said the institution has introduced technology and computerisation that make processing of results, transcripts and certificates seamless in the last decade.

    Citing the last two sets of graduates – 20021 and 2022/23 academic sessions – Agboola said the results and certificates had been collated and signed with many of them already collected by the students.

    He said those who graduated from 2012 till now, did not have issues with their certificates or transcripts being ready for collection because  their academic records had been computerised and could be accessed easily in the event of complaints and rectification when necessary.

    He also explained that some students were going about with notification of results issued by departments, believing that they have graduated but when they come for the certificates itself, it turned out that they have not fulfilled the requirements for graduation.

    He stressed that this informed why this year, he cancelled and stopped, the issuing of notification of results, which is not sufficient evidence that one has graduated from the OOU.

    The vice chancellor, however, noted that many of them going on air or to the media to say they graduated from the OOU but no certificates or results to show for it, never graduated from the institution and challenged them to prove it.

    “Students would write ‘S.O.S, I need my results and certificates’ and when they send it to me, I will refer the memo back to the department and faculty to look at those results and give me the feedback. It was during the course of investigation by the department and faculty that they would write to say that these students did not graduate here. And when they put it in writing, what do you expect me to do? They are all with me. They wrote it. When they call for those letters, I took the memos that were discussed at departmental and faculty boards that were sent to me, I take it back to the Senate. When they got to the Senate, the Senate in their wisdom, set up a committee to act on those matters and in their recommendations, determine the studentship of those that have no results.

    “In fact, there is a case that nobody is ready to sign the result in the department because it was not prepared in the department. Nobody in that department is ready to sign and that guy has been going around saying that in 16 years after he graduated from OOU, he had no result,” Agboola said.

    He added: “So, those people that go on air to say, ‘Oh, it is 16 years we graduated from OOU but no results’, never graduated from here. They should prove it that they graduated from here. In the course of proving, that is how they brought some documents to us which we are now investigating.

    “In January, I cancelled notification of results and the reason I cancelled it was simple. They use notification of results to do all sorts of things. I have seen a case where it is only that person that graduated in this university. Is it possible?”

    Also corroborating, the university Registrar, Dr. Femi Ogunwomoju, said some assumed they have graduated but did not, adding that  part time students and those who passed through the study centres and outreaches, many of which the university was not aware of, are mostly affected.

  • NGO warns against drug abuse, cybercrimes among students

    NGO warns against drug abuse, cybercrimes among students

    The International Veterinary Vaccinology Network, (IVVN), African Schools Outreach Programme, Nigeria has warned students against engaging in drug abuse and cyber crimes.

    IVVN said drug abuse and cyber crimes can make students lose focus and hindered their dream of becoming leaders of tomorrow.

    Speaking while addressing students of Isale Oyo Community High School, a lecturer at the Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Dr. Funmilayo Afolayan, who is also IVVN Nigeria Coordinator, maintained that consequences of drug abuse and cybercrime were enormous.

    She lamented the rate at which students particularly those in public schools engaged in the menace is alarming which should be tackled before it get out of hand.

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    He urged some of them already into the menace to speak out and seek help from their teachers, parents, or guardians.

    She also called on the students particularly girls to develop interest in science, adding that parents also needs to encourage and make provision for their children have more love for science.

    She thanked Oyo Commissioner of Education Prof. Salihu Adelabu for creating enabling environment for quality and adequate education to thrive.

    She however called on government at all levels to put more fund in education and refurbish laboratories in schools across the nation, saying state of laboratories in some schools has become worrisome.

    Principal, Isale Oyo Community School 1, Ademola Majekodunmi said education should not be left alone in hands of government, saying NGOs, civil society organisations and well meaning Nigerians also need to contribute their own quota to the progress of education across the nation.

  • Innoson, Elechi, to bag doctorate degrees from Alex Ekwueme university

    Innoson, Elechi, to bag doctorate degrees from Alex Ekwueme university

    Former Ebonyi state governor, Martin Elechi and Anambra industrialist, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, popularly known as Innoson, will be awarded Honorary Doctorate Degrees by Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Nduf-Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI) during the university’s 7th and 8th combined convocation.

    This was disclosed by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Sunday Elom, at a pre-convocation briefing.

    He also noted that out of 3,474 graduating students, 52 earned first-class degrees, while 911 achieved second-class upper division.

    He said: “It is a moment of great pride and joy for us as an institution, as we prepare to celebrate the achievements of our graduating students, who have worked tirelessly to earn their degrees.

    “Over the next few days, we will be honouring the hard work, dedication, and perseverance of our graduating students, as well as the support of their families, friends, and faculty members. I invite you as members of the 4th estate of the realm to join us as we share in the excitement of this momentous occasion and showcase the academic excellence and achievements of our great university.

    “Thursday 23 will be the conferment of Honourary Doctorate Degrees to two eminent Nigerians, for their laudable contributions to the development of the country – HE Chief Martin Elechi, former governor of Ebonyi State (Doctor of Economics) and Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Founder/CEO, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company (Doctor of Engineering and Technology).

    “We are turning out 96 postgraduates (9 PhDs, 62 Masters and 24 Postgraduate Diplomas). It is the first time the university is presenting PhD and Master’s degree students for convocation.

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    “We are turning out 3,474 graduates – 1, 357 of them belong to the 2020/2021 set while 2, 117 are of the 2021/2022 academic year. Out of these 3, 474 graduating students, 52 graduated with First Class, 911 with Second Class (Upper Division), 2, 088 with Second Class (Lower Division), 407 with Third Class, and 1 with a pass.

    “In the last 3 years of my administration, the university under my watch has made verifiable progress on many fronts. We have ensured that all our academic programmes were approved and accredited by the National Universities Commission and relevant professional bodies. Consequently, our students graduate on schedule, and are also mobilized to the NYSC programme each year, and in every batch and stream.

    “Our university has also gained a reputation as a rapidly emerging citadel of learning, globally recognized for the seriousness of its academic activities. More so, our university, its staff, and students are ranked highly by international rating organizations in world universities rankings, research output, and debate competitions.”

  • Two Chibok girls graduate from U.S colleges

    Two Chibok girls graduate from U.S colleges

    Two of the survivors of the 2014 Boko Haram mass abductions in Chibok, Borno State – Patience Bulus and Mercy Ali Paul – have graduated from colleges in the United States of America (U.S.A).

    Miss Bulus graduated from Dickinson College with a degree in Gender Studies while Miss Paul graduated from Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) with an associate degree in Social Science.

    A joint statement by the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF) and Victims Support Fund (VSF) said the duo’s journey to graduation was facilitated by a partnership between MMF and VSF to provide full scholarships and personal growth opportunities to the rescued Chibok girls, enabling them to pursue higher education in the U.S.

    Miss Bulus was also inducted as an Honourable Member of the National Society of Leadership and Success at Dickinson College in 2021.

    Speaking at Miss Bulus’s graduation in Carlisle Pennsylvania, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Mrs. Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode noted that more girls in Chibok and other conflict-affected communities deserved the opportunity to learn.

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    She sought an immediate action at the local and global levels to enable the victims have access to quality education and build self-reliance in conflict-affected communities.

    “The abduction of 276 schoolgirls 10 years ago from their boarding school signalled the urgency of action to secure education for girls in Nigeria.

    “As an organisation with a vision to advance positive education and social outcomes for women, we celebrate Patience and Mercy’s achievements today as a powerful example of resilience and we celebrate their determination not to be defined by the past but focused on the future,” she said.

    The graduates urged other girls not to give up, while advocating for girls’ rights and education worldwide.

    MMF is a non-for profit organisation focused on engendering self-reliance and fulfilment by working on policy and advocacy for issues that impact ethics, equity, good governance and economic empowerment, among others.

    The Presidential Committee on Victims Support Fund (PCVSF) was set up in July 2014 at the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency as a non-military response to the terror activities.