The Nation Newspaper

Category: Education

  • Full list of blacklisted foreign universities in Nigeria

    Full list of blacklisted foreign universities in Nigeria

    The federal government has announced the suspension of evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from the neighbouring Benin Republic and Togo.

    In a statement signed on Tuesday, January 2, by Augustina Obilor-Duru on behalf of the Director Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Education, the federal government lamented that “some Nigerians deploy nefarious means and unconscionable methods to get a Degree with the end objective of getting graduate job opportunities for which they are not qualified.”

    The statement noted that the suspension followed an investigative report by an online newspaper, which unravelled a Cotonou-based University, which issued a degree certificate to an undercover Journalist within six weeks.

    Read Also: Why Tinubu suspended NSIPA boss Halima Sheu – Official

    Here is a list of blacklisted foreign universities in Nigeria

    1. University of Applied Sciences and Management, Port Novo, Republic of Benin or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.
    2. Volta University College, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.
    3. The International University, Missouri, USA, Kano and Lagos Study Centres, or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
    4. Collumbus University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.
    5. Tiu International University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.
    6. Pebbles University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.
    7. London External Studies UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.
    8. Pilgrims University operating anywhere in Nigeria.
    9. West African Christian University operating anywhere in Nigeria.
    10. EC-Council University, USA, Ikeja Lagos Study Centre.
    11. Concept College/Universities (London) Ilorin or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
    12. Houdegbe North American University campuses in Nigeria.
    13. Irish University Business School London, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
    14. University of Education, Winneba Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
    15. Cape Coast University, Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
    16. African University Cooperative Development, Cotonou, Benin Republic, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
    17. Pacific Western University, Denver, Colorado, Owerri Study Centre.
    18. Evangel University of America and Chudick Management Academic, Lagos.

    The commission warns Nigerians to avoid enrolling in these institutions.

  • VFD Group, Narrative Landscape host Chimamanda Adichie’s ‘Mama’s Sleeping Scarf’

    VFD Group, Narrative Landscape host Chimamanda Adichie’s ‘Mama’s Sleeping Scarf’

    In alignment with its commitment to corporate social responsibility, VFD Group partnered with Narrative Landscape Press and GLG Communications to host Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s ‘Mama’s Sleeping Scarf’ at the Alliance Francaise/Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi Lagos.

    The collaboration focused on promoting the love for reading and supporting education, reflecting VFD Group’s dedication to social impact.

    Executive Director of VFD Group, Adeniyi Adenubi, and Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications, Muyiwa Olowoporoku, led the initiative by donating copies of ‘Mama’s Sleeping Scarf’ to students from Kesham International School, among others.

    Additionally, the investment company facilitated the attendance of a hundred children from less privileged schools, providing them with an opportunity to participate in engaging activities and a special book reading session with Chimamanda. Each child left the event with Santa’s gifts and a personally signed copy of the book, contributing to their literary journey.

    Read Also: Obasanjo, Peter Obi, others attend Chimamanda Adichie’s children book launch

    The event, aptly titled “Christmas Magic with Chimamanda,” transcended the realms of literature, combining intellectual sophistication with celebratory elements.

    Anchored by media personality Kunle Kasumu, the event welcomed esteemed guests which included Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Former Minister of Solid Minerals of Nigeria, Dr, Obiageli Ezekwesili; Former Governor of Anambra State and Presidential Aspirant of the Labour Party, Peter Gregory Obi; Nigerian Business Executive, Arts Enthusiast, and Philanthropist; Bella Disu, Business leader and Snr. Lecturer at Harvard Business School, Hakeem Belo-Osagie, among others.

    In a heartfelt address, Adeniyi Adenubi underscored the importance of Chimamanda’s literacy advocacy and shared personal stories of reading to his child, emphasizing the profound impact on their bond. Chimamanda, in her address, highlighted the crucial role of good grammar and reading in personal development.

    The event concluded with a Q&A session where Chimamanda provided insightful answers, leaving a lasting impression on all attendees. The proprietary investment company’s involvement showcased a holistic approach to corporate social responsibility, intertwining literature, philanthropy, and education for a meaningful societal impact.

  • Research signals new possibilities for durable power electronics and fleet systems in Nigeria

    Research signals new possibilities for durable power electronics and fleet systems in Nigeria

    Dr. Chidinma Chimara Imediegwu, a Nigerian engineer trained in the United States, has completed doctoral research with clear relevance to Nigeria’s transport, energy, and industrial sectors. She earned her PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, where her work focused on advanced power electronics packaging. Her dissertation addressed how electronic power systems can be designed to survive high temperatures, mechanical stress, and long operating cycles, conditions critical to the reliability of electric transport. The research positions her as part of a growing group of Nigerian scholars whose work abroad offers practical value at home.

    Power electronics underpin modern infrastructure. They regulate electricity in electric vehicles, solar inverters, battery storage systems, industrial motor drives, and charging networks. In Nigeria, these systems often operate in hot climates with limited cooling margins and demanding duty cycles. Failures linked to overheating and packaging fatigue contribute to frequent downtime and high maintenance costs. Dr. Imediegwu’s research confronts this challenge by focusing not on devices alone, but on the physical architecture that protects and cools them.

    “Most failures we see in power systems start at the package level,” Dr. Imediegwu explains. “If heat builds up and stress accumulates, even the best device will degrade.” Her work reframes packaging as a performance-critical system rather than a supporting component. This has direct implications for countries where environmental stress accelerates equipment failure and replacement cycles.

    Traditional power modules rely on stacked layers of solders, baseplates, and thermal interface materials. These layers increase thermal resistance and introduce mechanical mismatch as temperatures rise and fall. Dr. Imediegwu developed and tested a transient liquid phase bonding method that directly attaches aluminum nitride substrates to aluminum silicon carbide heat sinks. This approach shortens the heat path and reduces internal stress. “The objective was to remove unnecessary layers and let heat move out faster,” she says.

    Laboratory testing demonstrated the reliability of the new structure. Bonded samples were subjected to prolonged thermal cycling and high-temperature aging. Electrical insulation strength remained stable, and no cracking or delamination was observed. “Reliability testing is where ideas either stand or fail,” Dr. Imediegwu notes. “The results showed that this design can handle sustained thermal load without structural breakdown.” These outcomes are especially relevant for systems expected to operate continuously in challenging environments.

    The research also examined how material composition influences durability. By studying copper aluminum composites, Dr. Imediegwu showed how changes in copper concentration affect hardness and thermal expansion. These properties are critical at material interfaces, where failure often begins. “When materials expand at different rates, stress accumulates,” she explains. “By controlling composition, you control how stress develops over time.” This insight supports more predictable and longer-lasting designs.

    Beyond bonding and materials, the work explored additive manufacturing of conductive circuits. Using copper and copper graphene inks printed onto ceramic substrates, Dr. Imediegwu evaluated conductivity, current capacity, and thermal stability. The printed conductors delivered strong electrical performance while preserving dielectric strength. “Additive manufacturing gives designers flexibility without sacrificing performance,” she says. “That matters when you want scalable and adaptable solutions.”

    For Nigeria, the implications are practical. Electric buses, hybrid vehicles, solar installations, and industrial equipment all depend on power electronics. Failures translate into immobilized fleets, disrupted production, and unreliable energy supply. Improved packaging reduces these risks by extending service life and lowering maintenance frequency. “Engineering success is measured by uptime,” Dr. Imediegwu states. “If systems stay online longer, the economics improve immediately.”

    Engr Emmanuel Etukudoh, a fleet engineer responsible for vehicle reliability and maintenance planning, underscores this point. “Heat is one of the biggest silent causes of failure in Nigerian fleets,” he says. “Electronics degrade faster, vehicles break down more often, and costs rise.” From his perspective, research that improves thermal management directly improves operational outcomes. “Better packaging means better availability,” he adds.

    Electric mobility remains an emerging priority in Nigeria, yet concerns around reliability persist. Operators worry about electronics failure under heat and heavy usage. Dr. Imediegwu sees her work as addressing that hesitation. “Confidence comes from designs that anticipate stress,” she says. “If power modules are built for harsh conditions, then adoption becomes more realistic.” Her research offers a technical foundation for that confidence.

    Engr Etukudoh reinforces this view from the field. “Fleet operators are cautious,” he explains. “They want proof that electronics can survive our environment. Research like this reduces uncertainty and supports informed investment decisions.” Reliability, in his view, is the deciding factor for technology adoption in transport systems.

    The energy sector also stands to benefit. Solar inverters and battery storage systems depend on stable power electronics. Inverter failure remains a leading cause of downtime in many installations. “When inverters fail, communities lose power,” Dr. Imediegwu says. “Improving packaging reliability improves energy access and system trust.” The research aligns with Nigeria’s push toward decentralized and renewable energy solutions.

    There is also a capacity-building dimension. Nigerian universities, research centers, and manufacturers can adapt the design principles demonstrated in this work. “This is not about importing finished products,” Dr. Imediegwu explains. “It is about transferring design knowledge that local engineers can apply.” Such transfer supports domestic innovation and technical independence.

    Additive manufacturing offers further opportunity. Printed circuits reduce reliance on imported substrates and allow localized production of customized electronics. “Flexibility matters in developing economies,” she says. “With this, you can tailor systems without massive tooling investment.” This approach supports small-scale manufacturing and rapid iteration.

    At a policy level, the research supports goals around energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and industrial modernization. Electrification succeeds only when systems are both efficient and reliable. “Efficiency without durability just does not work,” Dr. Imediegwu states. “Designs must address both from the start.” Her work integrates these priorities at the engineering level.

    Dr. Imediegwu’s success also reflects the broader contribution of Nigerian professionals in global research. She maintains a clear link between advanced laboratory work and real operating conditions. “Growing up in Nigeria made me very aware of how critical reliable infrastructure and practical engineering solutions are,” she says. “That perspective pushes me to focus on work that translates into systems people can actually depend on.” That outlook grounds her research in practical relevance.

    Engr Etukudoh offers a closing assessment rooted in operations. “Engineering innovation matters when it works on our roads and in our power systems,” he says. “Research like this helps Nigeria move toward technology we can depend on.” Dr. Imediegwu’s doctoral work stands as a professional contribution with direct implications for fleet reliability, energy resilience, and long-term economic efficiency in Nigeria.

  • Philip Asiodu Institute organises inaugural secondary school essay competition

    Philip Asiodu Institute organises inaugural secondary school essay competition

    To drive invaluable mentorship and provide a fertile ground for grooming future leaders of Nigeria, the Philip Asiodu Institute has commenced an inaugural Secondary School Essay Competition.

    The capacity-building project intended to deepen knowledge is open to secondary school students across the country.

    The project aims to identify and encourage young talents, provide intellectual support for them to make a significant impact on the future of Nigeria.

    According to a statement signed in Lagos at the weekend by Chief Philip Asiodu on behalf of the Institute, the competition was created to nurture and empower future Nigerian leaders.

    Riding with the theme: “Encouraging Patriotism and Nurturing Nigerian Leaders of Tomorrow”, the organisers welcome all secondary school students across Nigeria to participate and showcase their writing talents.

    Read Also: School of the Blind graduates 23 students

    A representative of the competition’s team, ‘Yemi Adeyemi-Enilari said those interested in participating in the competition should seek out the digital portal for registration.

    According to the organisers, essay topics to be entered for the competition will revolve around the theme of patriotism, exploring various aspects, such as the importance of unity, diligence, integrity, and discipline.

    The organisers hinted that apart from the recognition and appreciation to be received, the winners of the competition will be honoured with valuable prizes.

    The Institute said: “These prizes will not only empower the winners themselves but also contribute to the development of their respective schools.

    “Additionally, the best essays from the competition will be published on the official website of the Philip Asiodu Institute, providing a platform for wider exposure and shared learning.”

  • Demands for high budgetary allocations rise

    Demands for high budgetary allocations rise

    Despite improvement in percentage of budgetary allocations to education in the Southeast states, lecturers, teachers and educationists are clamouring for more funds to improve facilities in schools to enhance learning. Chris Njoku, Owerri, Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia, Damian Duruiheoma, Enugu  Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki, report.

    Stakeholders have called on southeast states to focus more on education by allocating resources to improve educational infrastructure and provide skills training to teachers and pupils.

      In an interview with The Nation’s correspondents, respondents said despite the improvement in the percentage of budget to the sector by the states next year, serious challenges are still in affecting the sector. Residents said they expect improved budgetary allocations to education and provision of facilities to enhance learning.

    FUTO ASUU: we expect larger budgetary allocation in Imo

    Reacting to Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma’s allocation to education, the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU), Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Dr. Chinedu Ihejirika, said though the sectoral detail of the budget is not known, the people expect larger budgetary allocation to cushion effect of challenges in the sector.

    Ihejirika said people are leaving the sector for greener pastures abroad because the  allocation in terms of salaries is no longer realistic. “Many people are leaving Nigeria for diasporan jobs because their take-home salaries cannot take them home,” he said.

    According to him, the sector cannot meet what is obtainable in the world and this is affecting the type of graduates the sector is producing.

    He said: “We expect the budget to tackle these challenges. The sector is dwindling because previous budgetary allocations to it could not meet these challenges.

    Don’t joke with education, says lecturer

    A lecturer at the Imo State Polytechnic, who pleaded anonymity, noted that education is one of the sectors that should not be joked with.

    The lecturer said whatever allocation the state is budgeting for the sector, “there is still a need for more investment in the sector to improve the quality of education and address the challenges facing the sector, such as inadequate infrastructure, poor teacher training, and low enrolment rates’’.

    She said academic and non-academic workers were leaving the polytechnics because of institution’s salary structure.

    “Some people have been promoted in two stages but uptill now, nothing has been said about their salaries.Talking about four campuses is a serious challenge, especially at Imo State Polytechnic. We don’t have classrooms and no lecturer’s quarters and offices. Non-academic staff are not coming to school because low wages.

    “I, therefore, recommend to the state government to increase the budgetary allocation to address the challenges facing the sector since it’s marginalised,”  the source said.

    Also, Nze Matthew Azubuike, an educationalist, said despite previous allocations to the education sector, Imo State had recorded low performance of 17.67 per cent on education.

    “Most of the funds allocated to the education sector went to recurrent expenditure, with only 29 per cent allocated to capital expenditure. This is something the 2024 budget should correct,” Azubuike said.

    Educationist lauds Otti over Abia budget provision for education

    An educationist, Dr. Ifeanyi Ogbonna, has praised the Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti, over what he described as a renewed hope in the state education sector.

    Ogbonna, in an interview, with our correspondent, noted that the decision of the  governor to allocate 20 per cent of the N567 billion to education was a paradigm shift.

    Otti, in a breakdown of expected expenditure of the state in next fiscal year during his budget presentation at the State Assembly, said: “In the same vein, 40.07 per cent  of the total budget is proposed to be committed to the social sector with the bulk of the resources going into education (20 per cent), healthcare (15.04 per cent), youth and sport development, (3.17 per cent).”

    He said the items proposed in the social sector include the renovation of 300 public primary and secondary schools across the 17 LGAs of the state and infrastructure upgrade at the State College of Education and the retooling of three technical schools.

    This, Ogbonna said, showed a clear direction of a government that has made the growth of education a serious business. He said previous governments, apart from the administration of Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, under whose government Abia school pupils enjoyed free education, paid lips service to education.

    Ogbonna, who expressed worries over the ability of the Education Ministry to drive the visions of the previous governments, called on the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Eme, who until her appointment was with the University of Nigeria Nsukka, to ensure that the ministry did a thorough job in defending their budget and proper implementation of the budget proposal to achieve a maximum result.

    “I have not been able to lay hands on the plans of the ministry of education for 2024. But from the budget presentation, it was clear that the governor is keen on the infrastructural development of the state, which we think is a priority for this administration,” Ogbonna said.

    NUT hails Mbah for paying special attention to education

     Mixed reactions have greeted the allocation of 33 per cent of the total budget to the education sector by the Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah for the 2024 budget.

    In the reactions, which came from education stakeholders, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) hailed Mbah for paying special attention to the sector.

    The governor had presented a N521.5 billion Appropriation Bill to the Enugu State House of Assembly for 2024. The budget, which he tagged, “Budget of Disruptive Economic Growth”, comprises N414.3 billion Capital Expenditure representing about 79 per cent of the budget and N107.2 billion Recurrent Expenditure, representing about 21 per cent of the budget.

    The governor allocated 73.6 per cent of the social sector provision, and 33 per cent of the entire budget to the education sector.

    But, reacting to the budget estimates, Chairman of the Enugu State Wing of the NUT, Comrade Theophilus Odo, said: “The governor has shown in every way that he has great interest in education.

    “Honestly, when he said during the last convocation at ESUT that education would get over 30 per cent of the budget, we hardly believed him because it had never been like that before anywhere in Nigeria, including at the Federal level. But with this, we are very happy and relieved that a leader is giving this all-important sector the deserved attention.

    “As the governor rightly pointed out in his budget speech, education is one of the surest ways of ensuring sustainable eradication of poverty. By implication, this budget is for the benefit of our children, the teachers and the entire society.

    “So, on behalf of the entire teachers of Enugu State, I say a big ‘thank you’ to the governor for his great vision for education in the state.”

    However, other stakeholders in the education sector told our correspondent that the budget, especially as it concerns education, would not address the problems of the education sector in the state.

    According to another NUT official, who refused to be mentioned, the budget does not address the priority in the education sector.

    He said most public school buildings in the state were dilapidated and in a shambles with few teachers, no school desks, chalkboards, among others.

    The source said: “Our people don’t like hearing the truth. The governor should have consulted stakeholders before delving into these smart schools he said he would build.

    “The most pressing need for our schools is teaching staff and infrastructure. Because of the poor number of teachers we have, most schools in rural communities do not have up to 40 pupils in the entire school from primary one to six.

    Read Also: Nigeria is in good hands, Tinubu assures citizens

    “Also, those who have a bit of the number in the city, do not have the classrooms, desks to teach and learn. I’m sure the governor knows that many of the schools join their pupils in one class. For instance, primary four, five and six are packed in one class, especially during rainy season.

    “In that budget, I didn’t hear the governor talk about these things. Rather, they are proposing to build 260 Smart Model Basic Schools.

    “Don’t get me wrong. It is good to provide a serene learning environment equipped with modern facilities and equipment and integrate technology, AI, and robotics into the basic education curriculum, as the governor explained in his budget speech.

    “But of what relevance when there is no corresponding provision at the Upper Secondary education level, including the tertiary education level.”

    In Ebonyi State, the education sector got the largest chunk of the budget. About 22.78 per cent or N46 billion out of the N202 billion budget was allocated to the sector.

    The Ministry of Education, which is in charge of basic and secondary education, got 10.5 percentage of the budget, which amount to about N21 billion with over N15 billion of the sum earmarked for capital expenditure.

    The Ministry of Tertiary Education got 12.29 per cent of the budget or over N25 billion.

    Part of this will be deployed to the six higher institutions in the state, including the new Aeronautics University Ezza (N3.250 billion) and ICT University in Izzi LGA (N7.4 billion), which are undergoing construction.

    Stakeholders in the sector praised Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, for allocating a great chunk of the budget to the education sector.

    A former Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ebonyi State University chapter, Prof Ndubuisi Idenyi, lauded the state government for  allocating the sum to the sector.

    “Well, it is a good development. The stipulation is 26 per cent of the budget but if they allocated over 22 per cent, then it is very good. It means they may get to 26 per cent in subsequent budgets.

    “It shows that the governor and government understand the importance of education in the development of the state,” Idenyi said.

    Calling for judicious and strict implementation of the budget, he called on the government to do all within its powers to revitalise the state university.

    A Primary School teacher, James Aleke, also commended the state government for the allocation.

    He, however, called on the governor to look into the welfare of primary school teachers, which, he claimed, is nothing to write home about.

  • ‘Students’ loans will help varsities focus on core philosophy’

    ‘Students’ loans will help varsities focus on core philosophy’

    Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Charles Igwe has said the students’loans scheme initiated by President Bola Tinubu will make public universities concentrate on their core mandate of learning and research.

    Igwe, who spoke against the financial pressures, particularly on public tertiary institutions, to fund themselves through the generation of Internally Generated Revenue(IGR), insisted that universities were never established to raise money to run themselves and still engage in academics.

    Fielding questions from reporters after being conducted around projects executed by his administration on the three campuses of the university, Igwe said the students’ loan scheme would enable the tertiary institutions perform their mandates without encumbrances on the students and the instructions.

    The VC maintained that tertiary institutions were rather created for learning and research, adding that their finances were essentially conceived to emanate from endowments, grants, and other sources, but not to be financially self-sustaining.

    “It was for the reason of the universities concentrating on their core philosophy that President Bola Tinubu opted for students’ loans.

    “The university is a universal business. The university is not supposed to open a shop at Nsukka market and begin to raise funds just because it needs money.

    “The business of the university is to teach, research, impact knowledge and do extension services. These are the basic mandates of every university worldwide. When we talk about IGR, sometimes they will say you are not farming, you are not producing pure water and bread.

    “These things are distractions. I have attended universities in Europe, Asia and I’ve looked at how they manage issues.”

    The VC added that one of the ways his administration had contributed to funding various projects was through international research grants.

    “We make our staff work very hard in attracting international grants such as in my department, Soil Science, where we are able to get some equipment while working on my research. That is one of the ways academic staff get funds.

    Read Also: Akeredolu was a patriot, Mimiko mourns

    “But it’s not going to sell pure water and bread. This is not the kind of money that the university needs to conduct proper research and impact society. We are not talking about floating buses that will be running from Nsukka market and will be collecting N30 or N40.

    “I’m happy that President Tinubu is talking about granting loans to university students. I just hope that they will also provide jobs for them so that when they finish, they will pay back these loans so that it can benefit others.

    “One of the ways of attracting money to the university is by charging appropriate fees, but the last time I added N5,000 to the school fees, the students demonstrated. They said they didn’t know the VC was a Yahoo VC.

    “What we get from the Federal Government every month is less than N15 million as overhead and the last time they brought it was in August and this is December and you pay electricity bill of more than N80 million and buy diesel as well. It’s from this so-called N90-something that students pay and N15,000 hostel fees that you take care of these things. Where does that lead you?”

    The VC added that his administration inherited a total of 104 uncompleted projects but had completed 73  while the remaining were ongoing.

  • Beauty queen embarks on education project in Southeast

    Beauty queen embarks on education project in Southeast

    • By Afolabi Oluwadamilare

    South East’s sixth Queen Beauty Pageant winner, Tiana Grace Michael, has embarked on a project to strengthen education among the region’s children.

    Her most recent project, the “Back to School” initiative, is aimed at improving the educational environment.

    She said education is the foundation of a prosperous society.

    She said: “My goal with the ‘Back to School’ drive is to ignite a spark of curiosity in these youngsters and provide them the confidence and motivation to achieve their goals.

    Read Also: Nigeria is in good hands, Tinubu assures citizens

    “The initiative’s central focus is steadfast dedication to supporting the younger generation’s educational endeavours.

    “The ‘Back to School’ effort is carefully planned to provide students with necessary writing supplies and to encourage meaningful dialogues that will encourage and empower them as they pursue their education.

    “Her unwavering commitment to societal progress is underscored by her dedication to providing every child with the fundamental tools required for academic success.

    “Apart from the simple act of distributing supplies, this project represents a show of support, encouragement and hope for a better future.”

    The expectation and optimism in Southeast’s leap to new heights as the reigning queen, Queen Tiana Grace Michael, prepares to set out on her life-changing voyage.

  • Ag. VC advocates intensified cultural export to grow GDP

    Ag. VC advocates intensified cultural export to grow GDP

    Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Africa Toru-Orua (UAT), Bayelsa, Prof. Barclays Ayakoroma, has advocated innovative approach to branding Nigeria’s arts and culture products for increased export.

    In a statement by his media aide,  Mr. Tonye Yemolegha, the  acting VC said increased export of such products would shore up earnings and  gross domestic product.

    Ayakoroma said the increase  could be achieved through cultural rejuvenation and deliberate generational transfer of cultural talents.

    According to him, the increase could also be achieved through adequate investment by governments to fully harness abundant  cultural tourism potential. He added that the Annang Festival of Arts and Culture (AFAC), recently held in the state, along with similar programmes,  needed holistic transformation for global competitiveness.

    Read Also: Akeredolu was a patriot, Mimiko mourns

    Ayakoroma noted that reinventing culture as a gateway to national development also entailed introduction of entrepreneurial components that would drive dependency for sustenance and expansion of the culture and arts sector.

    He said the cultural policy of any country would remain a strong binding factor that would enhance nationalism and unity.

     He called for continuous review of Nigeria’s cultural policy, which he noted, was signed in August 1988 by the then Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

    “Culture is a vital component of national development as it is a tool for driving economic growth, social cohesion, peaceful-co-existence as well as political stability.

    “We must, therefore, explore every channel to tap from it,” Ayakoroma said.

  • How we’re strengthening Health Sciences varsity in Otukpo, by Ujah

    How we’re strengthening Health Sciences varsity in Otukpo, by Ujah

    The pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Prof. Innocent Ujah, in a maiden public lecture, explained how the institution weathered the storms and murky waters of precariousness to stand on good pedestal. Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi was there.

    A PUBLIC lecture in a university system is a tradition that is held in high esteem. It is an educational presentation or talk, which is open to the general public, presented by an expert or professional in a particular subject or field, usually at a university or college, often about the programmes, policies, and plans of the university, organisation or institution.

    It was against the foregoing that the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO) organised its maiden public lecture series on Friday, December 15.

    The Speaker, the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Innocent Ujah, in a paper entitled: “Pioneering the First Federal University of Health Sciences in Nigeria – The Excitement, The Expectations, and The Challenges, pointed out that one reason for the lecture was to put the records of the university straight.

    He averred that the journey of the institution started like a journey to the unknown and cloud of uncertainty, positing that the doldrums was challenging and herculean but plunged into reality towards the twilight of the former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan administration.

    The speaker noted that with shared determination, doggedness and resilience of the Apa Education Foundation (AEF), led by Prof. Ochapa Onazi and other eminent sons of Idoma, the school was able to weather the storms and murky waters of precariousness to stand on good pedestal.

    He noted that apart from the initial nine approved academic programmes, Bachelor of Pharmacy, B. Sc. of Nursing, B. Sc. of Medical Laboratory Science and B. Sc. of Human Nutrition and Dietetics have been approved by National Universities Commission (NUC) to begin in the 2023/2024 academic session.

    The vice chancellor also announced that the Remedial Science Programme of the university has commenced academic activities at the G. R. A. Campus, Otukpo. Explaining that FUHSO as a federal institution complied fully with the Federal Character Principles in terms of employment and admission in the last three and half years, the university don lamented the vacuum created by the retirement, resignation, and death of some lecturers where many courses are without lecturers, and appealed to the Federal Government to grant a waiver to allow the varsity to either recruit new staff or replace the staff that have left the university.

    According to the vice chancellor, the university had acquired 600 hectares at the permanent site at Akwete-Akpa, with its Master Plan completed and approved among other efforts in and around the land. He said that the construction of the Senate and Administrative Building, College of Medicine and its auditorium, principal officers’ houses, microbiology and physics departments, hostel accommodations, and access road were in progress.

    Read Also: Nigeria is in good hands, Tinubu assures citizens

    He added that FUHSO had earlier in the year, acquired and remodelled the former Double-K Resort, named G. R. A. Campus of the insitution, which, he said, was made possible through Tetfund Special High Impact Intervention.

    He lauded Chief Godwin Obla, (SAN), for building and donating a Kidney Centre to the Federal University of Health Sciences, Teaching Hospital, Otukpo (FUHSTHO), saying that the centre is equipped with six new dialysis machines, the highest any government hospital has obtained in the North Central Nigeria.

    Ujah, a  former President, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), appealed to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to increase the admission slot for the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) of the university in the next academic session to accommodate more qualified applicants.

    The Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Consultant Gynaecological Surgeon stressed further that the university is partnering top institutions within and outside, including Emory University, Atlanta Georgia, USA, Temple University, Philadelphia, U.S., and Northwestern University, Chicago in the U.S.

  • YABATECH projects more than being varsity, says rector

    YABATECH projects more than being varsity, says rector

    The Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) has said its investment in research and vocational education is part of efforts in attaining the projection of becoming greater than other institutions of higher learning.

    Its Rector, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    According to him, the investment also captures bringing more grants to the institution.

    Abdul, who described YABATECH as Nigeria’s first educational institution founded in 1947, said it had been ranked the number one polytechnic for six years.

    He added that the target was to become the number one tertiary institution in the country.

    “This initiative was part of the vision when I came into office, to empower our staff, repackaging our programmes and the idea is to take YABATECH beyond the number one polytechnic.

    “We are what we are; forget about what we are called.

    “Our projection is to become more than a university and that is what we are focused on doing.

    “We have invested in vocational education, research and in bringing more grants to the college. So, by the time we are done, let’s see what they will call us.

    “Away from being the first institution in age, we want to be the first.

    “There are other institutions in the world that are not named or called university but they are proud of what they represent, so whether we are called a university or not, we are still focused,” he added.

    The rector said the college had concluded a four-day free eye screening and cataract surgery for Lagos residents.

    He stated that the initiative was a way of giving back to the society.

    Abdul noted that no fewer than 400 persons had benefited from the programme, adding that over 300 persons had cataract surgery in Gbagada General Hospital, while others were given glasses, lenses and medications.

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    “One of the most important responsibilities of tertiary institution is community relation, so we organised the programme, in collaboration with others, to carry out the free eye screening and cataract surgery for residents.

    “The ability to see is a precious gift that millions of people around the world took for granted.

    “A simple eye condition can lead to significant vision impairment or even blindness, hence the idea behind the initiative,” he told NAN.

    The programme was in collaboration with Yaba Local Council Development Area (Yaba LCDA), Lagos State Ministry of Health, Albasaar International Foundation and Ambassador International Limited, a non-governmental organisation.