The Nation Newspaper

Category: Education

Command Ipaja old students celebrate 35-year anniversary

Command Secondary School Ipaja, Lagos old students, 1988 set, has celebrated 35 years of their graduation and renewed their commitment to the advancement of their alma mater.

The alumni had the chance to share their personal stories on how the school’s philosophy has benefited them.

The five-day event featured a variety of activities, including fitness, health and wellness day; a visit to Heart of Gold Hospice Orphanage, Surulere, Lagos; Founders Day and a symposium for students and donation of gifts to non-teaching staff of Command Secondary School Ipaja, Lagos; Gala Nite and ended with a virtual thanksgiving service.

In remembrance of the set’s deceased members, there was a one-minute period of silence.

Speaking at the gala night held at Ikeja, Lagos, the President of the old students, Kayode Ogunsola, said the anniversary was aimed to motivate and honour their fellow alumni.

Kayode unveiled a N30 million microfinance project in what he described as helping members of their set improve themselves.

He assured that there will be checks and balances and no bias for any projects seeking for funding.

“Thirty-five years since we graduated from Command Secondary School is a milestone and we are planning to celebrate 40 years. We are still intact as a set, even if we’ve lost a few people. We have gotten to a stage where we need to build more legacy projects. We need to key into projects that we can use to support ourselves, especially those who need them among us.

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“That is why we are launching a microfinance fund project to raise N30 million to fund enterprise schemes, small businesses or any start-up initiative that my colleagues have. It is also to ensure that we all grow together. It shouldn’t be a situation of some or one person is having but all of us should have and with that, we will be able to add more value to our alma mater and community. No one should be left behind and this is what 35 stand for us.

“The microfinance project will be in a third-party finance house. The finance house will then take assessment of projects so that we can make it independent. We have a governance board within the set that will interface with the finance house and with that, there will be no bias for projects looking for funds. There will be standards as well as checks and balances.

“We have been able to achieve different projects in the school and our first project in the school was the renovation of the medical room. But this year, we are looking at non-academic staff. We discovered that most of our projects are towards the students, teachers, and the school and that is why we decided to look at those behind and they were happy,” he said.

Commandant, Command Secondary School Ipaja, Lagos, Lt. Col. Christopher Obida, lauded the former students for their commitment to the school’s growth.

According to the Commandant, the school’s high standard of teaching has resulted in civilian pupils enrolling at a higher rate than officers’ and soldiers’ children.

He pledged to increase engagement with the old students to improve productive teamwork.

National President of the old students, Segun Adefila, applauded the 1988 set for the progress they had accomplished.

He appealed to the government to reinstate discipline in schools and counselled the young people on how to prosper by making good use of their phones.

Awards were also presented to former ccommandants of the school, National Excos, State Excos and some members.

October 5, 2023
Oyedepo urges varsities to engage in gainful researches

Covenant University’s Chancellor and Chairman, Board of regents, Dr. David Oyedepo, has said that gainful researches are the solution to the society’s problems.

He urged universities to embark on more research to solve the country’s problem and bring about good healthcare delivery, food sufficiency, advanced agricultural practices and shelter for all.

He added that sound education is the sure foundation for every great nation.

The chancellor urged the university’s 2023 graduands to continue embracing the training gathered from the university to enhance their capacity for exploits in life.

“Every problem, I have discovered, has a solution. But without a problem-solver, such a problem becomes insurmountable.

“As long as we remain regimented, we will continue to be relegated. Those who will not take response today will end up as liability tomorrow. Destiny is a non-transferable responsibility. One either faces it or phased out.

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“As a university, we have remained committed to our unique mode of training and the pursuit of our departure philosophy, which we refer to as our founding philosophy,” he said.

The Pro-Chancellor and Vice Chairman, Board of Regents of the institution, Bishop David Abioye, advised the graduands to take into cognisance the admonition of Solomon, citing Ecclesiastes 9:10.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abiodun H. Adebayo, noted that 1,175 graduands were conferred with Bachelor degrees and 204 higher degrees in various disciplines.

In the Bachelor’s degree category, 283 (24.09%) of the graduands made first class and 656 (55.83%) bagged second class (upper division). Also, 214(18.21%) of the graduands are in the second class (lower division) and 22 (1.87 %) in the third class category.

Prof. Adebayo said: “It is evident that the Class of 2023 have been equipped to soar higher and conquer unimaginable feats. Please don’t despair even when the journey gets tough and stormy, but remember that an eagle earns its honour from the storm it endures.”

A graduand of Electrical and Electronics Engineering of the University, Nelson Elijah Ifechukwu, emerged best student with CGPA of 4.98.

October 5, 2023
FGGC Benin to mark 50th anniversary

The Federal Government Girls’ College, Benin City is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary on the theme: “50 years of inspiring young minds”, from October 12 to 15.

The celebration would feature line-up of activities, ranging from inter school debate and alumni’s visit to Governor Godwin Obaseki and Oba of Benin, on October 12.

Festival of arts and culture, medical talk and outreach, career talk and Jummat service would take place on October 13.

The anniversary celebration will also feature a keynote address, book launch, panel session and the launch of the school projects on October 14 and a thanksgiving service on October 15.

The anniversary would also cover the implementation of projects by the global alumni, renovation of the school’s two dining halls and the sponsoring of an electrification project and clinic refurbishment by the governor’s wife, who is also an alumna, Mrs. Betsy.

The board of trustee’s chairperson of the school, Mrs. Eyono Fatayi-Williams, in her address, urged the old girls all over the globe to be part of the celebration.

“The school authorities and the alumni are collaborating to celebrate the jubilee with events that are tagged the “mother of all reunions”.

“This 50th anniversary celebration has provided an opportunity for all alumni globally, regardless of graduation year to unite to plan the jubilee celebrations from the 12th – 15th, of October 2023 in Benin city.

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“Old girls from all over the globe are invited to attend these celebrations in Benin.

“FGGC Benin-City was established on October 15, 1973, by the General Yakubu Gowon administration as part of the military government’s programmes to promote unity in post-civil war Nigeria.

“The school started with 72 students temporarily located on the Idia College site. Two years later, the school eventually moved to its permanent site in Ugbowo , near the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). Since its first set of graduates in 1978, the school has produced over 40 sets of accomplished women who have made impact on national and global stages in various fields of human endeavour.

“The Alumni of the Federal Government Girls College Benin, fondly called FEDIBEN, are found all over the world and can be identified by their excellence,” she said.

October 5, 2023
CBAAC chief seeks investments in arts education to nurture local talents

Director-General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) Mrs. Olubunmi Amao has urged both the Federal and the state governments to invest more in arts education from an early age to nurture local talents, among students.

Amao said state governments should give priority to investments in arts education.

The CBAAC D-G, was represented by Mr. Adesegun Dosumu, Deputy Director of the Centre, at the second General Nigerian Studies Day and the investiture of the LASU Vice-Chancellor as the Grand Commander of GNS on Tuesday in Lagos.

The programme was organised by Centre For General Nigerian Studies, Lagos State University (LASU) with the theme: “Lagos Today, Lagos Tomorrow.”

She said cultivating a thriving cultural scene also benefited education.

“Schools and institutions should compulsorily integrate arts and culture into their curriculum to foster creativity, critical thinking and problem solving skills, among students.

“This equips the next generation with the tools they need to contribute to Lagos development.

“The establishment of art schools, cultural academies, scholarships, funding and grants opportunities for innovative cultural projects will further encourage the experimentation and fusion of traditional and contemporary elements within the city,” Amao said.

She noted that culture plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of Lagos by fostering sustainable cultural growth and innovation.

“Arts and culture help define and preserve Lagos’ unique identity, this cultural identity could serve as a source of resilience in the face of rapid urbanisation and globalisation.

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“As Lagos continues to grow into a mega-global city, investing in more government-owned cultural infrastructures will stimulate economic development and recreate more revenue for the city.”

“Lagos can leverage its artistic and cultural community as a hub for innovation by establishing creative hubs and co-working spaces that bring artists and innovators together.

“There should be development of dedicated cultural districts or neighbourhoods where artists, musicians and creatives can live, work and showcase their talents, something more like an Artistes’ village,” Amao said.

She added that cultivating a thriving cultural scene also benefits education, schools and institutions should compulsorily integrate arts and culture into their curriculum to foster creativity and problem solving skills among students.

“The arts and culture sector in Lagos have immense potentials to shape the city’s future in a sustainable and innovation way.

“By leveraging these strategies, Lagos can build upon the success of FESTAC 77 to create a sustainable cultural ecosystem that fosters creativity and preserve cultural heritages.

“They can also promote community engagements in order to drive innovation, economic growth, community well-being and enhance the city’s cultural richness and global prominence,” Amao said.

Prof. Olatunji-Bello said GNS Day was set aside to celebrate the cultural heritage of Lagos, Lagosians and Nigeria as a whole.

She said that as Lagos flagship institution, “we owe it a duty to teach, promote and celebrate the cultural heritage of Lagos, it’s people and history, so that we could value what we have and set the path for our young ones.

“Many of our young ones are here today, to follow and learn our cultural heritage, so it can be preserved for generations to come.

“By organising a programme like this, we are honouring the past, celebrating the present, and shaping the future of this vibrant city,” he said.

Dr. Olusola Sokefun, Assistant Director, Centre for General Nigerian Studies, LASU, said the programme was to showcase the department’s activities and honour the former leaders in the centre and students, who had done excellently well in GNS courses.

Prof. Olatunji-Bello was conferred with the Grand Commander of General Nigerian Studies, LASU, former leaders of the Centre of GNS; Prof Dapo Ashaju and Prof. Abiodun Akinpelu were also decorated.

Five students from different departments were decorated for being the best students in GNS courses.

Students from LASU Department of Theatre Arts, LASU International School, pupils of LASU Staff School, Honeyland International and Lagos State University of Education displayed different cultural and musical performances.

October 5, 2023
Prioritise equal early childhood education, ECAN tells govts

The Early Childhood Association of Nigeria (ECAN) has called on governments to ensure that every child, regardless of his background or location, has equal access to quality early childhood education and healthcare.

Its National President, Prof. Babajide Abidogun, made the appeal in a statement he issued in Lagos.

Abidogun said Nigeria could not ignore the issues affecting its youngest citizens.

“Early childhood development is a critical phase in a child’s life, laying the foundation for their physical, emotional and cognitive well-being.

“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every Nigerian child receives the care and support they need during this crucial period.

“Investing in early childhood education and healthcare is not only an investment in the future of our children but also in the future of Nigeria,” he said.

Abidogun added that quality early childhood programmes would provide children with the needed tools to succeed in life, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.

“We must also address the disparities that exist in access to early childhood services across our great nation.

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“Rural and underserved communities should not be left behind. This momentous occasion – independence anniversary celebration – not only marks the progress we have made as a nation but also reminds us of the responsibilities we bear towards our youngest citizens, children, who represent our future.

“Our diversity, culture and resilience have shaped our great nation, making it a beacon of hope on the African Continent,” he said.

He said there was the need to inspire children to have laudable dreams and work hard to achieve their aspirations.

“I call on all stakeholders, including government officials, educators, parents, and communities, to join hands in building a brighter future for our children.

“Let us commit ourselves to nurturing the potential of every Nigerian child and ensuring that they grow up in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment,” Abidogun said.

October 5, 2023
Relief as govt begins clearing NECO debt

Pupils whose Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) results were withheld by the National Examinations Council (NECO), following the non-payment of debt owed by their state government can now heave a sigh of relief as governments have started offsetting the debts. JUSTINA ASISHANA reports.

For over eight years, students of public secondary schools in Niger State who wrote the Senior Secondary School Examinations under the National Examinations Council (NECO) always had their results seized due to the debts owed the examination body by the state government.

The Niger State Government had made NECO Internal SSCE free for students in public secondary schools who passed its mock examinations as part of its effort to make education affordable to the people.

In 2018, the Sani-Bello-led administration said the state government owed the two major examination bodies in the country, the West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO) to the tune of N664 million.

The then state Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Fatima Magudu, said the debt was inherited by the government from its predecessors.

The following year, 2019, students in public secondary schools in the state were unable to access their NECO May/June SSCE results as the examination body withheld their results due to debts owed by the government.

Over 20,000 students were unable to attend their post-UTME screenings at the universities of their choice as their parents complained about the difficulties faced by their children during the post-UTME screenings.

NECO complained about the state government’s inability to pay up its debts, although government had paid some money, there was a need for more commitment before the results could be released.

According to the state government that year, it owed NECO over N470 million but had remitted N150 million, while calling on NECO to be considerate and release the results.

“The state government has been paying NECO and WAEC for its students from the previous government and the arrangement has always been that when the government has funds, we pay in installment.

“NECO is owed N400 million this year and the government has commenced the payment. We remitted N150 million to them and we are still negotiating with them to release the results, but they have not,” the then Permanent Secretary of the Niger State Ministry of Education, Abubakar Aliyu, said.

It took several pleadings and appeals and even a letter of commitment for the payment of the debts in installments before the results of the students could be released that year.

In 2021, 30,000 students who sat the Senior Secondary School Examinations (SSCE) were marked to be denied admission into universities as the government yet again failed to pay the NECO fees or meet its commitments in paying the fees in installments as agreed.

It was learned that in 2021, when some universities released their admission lists, prospective candidates who left secondary school in 2019 and 2020 were not still able to access their results which would have made them eligible for clearance for admission.

That year, the government had said that it would not pay the NECO fees of non-indigent pupils as it would only pay the NECO fees of indigent ones.

However, the non-indigent pupils who paid their NECO fees to the state government are still unable to access their results as they claimed that NECO stated that they didn’t receive any money from the state government.

It was learned that as of 2021, the state government was still owing the examination body N1 billion.

Some parents who spoke to The Nation expressed worry over the inability of their wards to secure admission into institutions of higher learning.

One of the parents of the affected students in 2021, Ahmed Musa whose son graduated from one of the secondary schools in Bosso, said his son has been offered admission into the Federal University of Technology, Minna but cannot go for clearance because he hasn’t got his result.

“If I knew it would be like this, I would have paid for my child. How can my child do the examination and his result is being withheld and the government is saying they will pay the fees. If they know they do not have money, they should leave us to find the money and pay. This is wickedness. If my son misses this admission because of this no result, I will never forgive this government,” he said.

A widow, Hannatu Bala, said her son attended one of the government science schools in Minna and she was happy when they were told that the government would pay the examination fees for them without knowing that it would turn out to be a bitter pill following the withholding of the result due to non-payment of the fees by the government.

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“If they had told me that I should pay, I would have struggled to pay. I have saved for my child to go into a higher institution, but I have started touching that money because he cannot do any registration now. I only pray that the result is released before the admission closes. Do I have to register him for an external examination? That would be an extra cost. The government is not being fair to us.”

The Nation learnt that for every internal SSCE NECO examination being written by students in the state, the state would need over N400 million.

Sources said paucity of funds was responsible for non-payment of the fees.

“This has been a long-term challenge. The problem of non-payment for the NECO examination did not start from this government, it started long ago, as far as 2013. The government has agreed with the examination body and has agreed to pay a certain amount of money monthly. The problem is not from the ministry, it is the Ministry of Finance that releases the money and not the Ministry of Education,” a source said.

This development led the State House of Assembly to investigate this development after the students protested at the NECO headquarters over the non-release of their final examination results.

A week after the incident, the state government paid part of the money to secure the release of the 2019 and 2020 results, although the amount paid was not stated.

The then Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Hannatu Jibrin Salihu, told the pupils that they could log into the NECO website to access their results as the government was working to address all issues and challenges that would affect their future.

Last year, the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of NECO, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, said the state government was owning the examination body about N500 million.

He said the state government had been clearing its debt, hence, it was reduced to N500 million.

This year, Wushishi noted that the debt owed the examination body by various states was less than N3 billion and that they have been cooperating in defraying it.

It came as a welcome development when the state government on Monday September 2, 2023 announced that it had paid N120 million out of its N500 million debt.

The Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Binta Mamman, who stated this during a briefing with journalists in Minna, disclosed that the state government has given a standing order for the monthly payment of N30 million to offset the debt.

This would no doubt ensure that the backlogs are cleared.

The Commissioner stated that the government would ensure that the state does not owe NECO anymore after settling the current debt.

October 5, 2023
Abuja school refutes alleged use of force against protesting parents

The Royal Family Academy Abuja has reiterated commitment to upholding its core values of excellence, hard work, integrity, innovation, and discipline.

The school, in a statement, said it will continually make and evaluate its policies to stay afloat even in the midst of the glaringly harsh economic realities.

While faulting reports about a protest in the school, it noted that there was no police engagement with the aggrieved persons.

RFA noted that as a private institution, self-sustaining, lacking in any form of external financial aid and/or sponsorship, the decision for a 50% increase to the tuition and ancillary fees was occasioned by recent economic realities which has impacted directly and quite negatively on its overhead and other associated costs of doing business, making it impracticable and impossible for the school to stay afloat.

“In the instant case, the surge in the overhead cost of running the school within the past year has become astronomical, for instance, the school requires 33,000litres of diesel to power the school every 6-8weeks, as at 2021 when the cost of diesel was between N250-N300 per liter, as opposed to the current cost of diesel which is between N950-N1,050 per liter.

“A simple multiplication for the cost of diesel alone has gone from N8,000,000 in 2021 to N31,000,000 in 2023. This is without factoring in the cost of power from the power grid when it is available, or the cost of maintaining the generators. This is just an instance of one of the costs the school must grapple with given the circumstances,” it said.

It added the fees hike was immediately communicated to the Parents Teachers Progressive Forum (PTPF) in July at the end of the 2022/23 school session to provide ample time for parents to adjust to paying the new fees or seek alternative and more affordable or pocket friendly schools for their wards.

The school noted that despite engagements with the PTPF, some parents decided to embark on a protest on September 18 while the school was in session.

While noting that in order to ensure the safety of students and pupils on campus, the Police personnel attached to the school were placed on high alert to ensure that the said protest was conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner, especially as there was no member of the leadership of the PTPF on ground to allay fears as to the identity of the very few purported protesters who converged at the gate of its premises.

“Contrary to the falsehood fed to unsuspecting members of the public, it is worthy of mention that on the day of resumption, every parent that showed up to school with a child/ward, regardless of whether or not they had paid the fees for that child was allowed into the premises.

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“Only persons who did not show up with a child/children to drop off were prevented from entering the premises. Around a total of 10 parents were gathered at the school gate, having left their children back at home, insisting on coming into the premises to carry out their protest which would have escalated into a disruption of school activities and potentially putting our pupils and students in harm’s way.

“Contrary to reports that parents were forcibly removed from the premises, there was no police engagement with these 10 aggrieved persons. Therefore, to suggest that there was a confrontation between the alleged protesters and police personnel attached to the school premises such that parents were forced out of the school premises is completely false, and something that may have happened only in the imagination of these aggrieved parents,” it added

It maintained that matters of fixing tuition and other fees as payable are within the exclusive reserve of the school management, who in doing so, must take into consideration the prevailing economic realities vis-à-vis the excellent standard the school is known for over the years and to ensure that such standards are not compromised.

September 28, 2023
Soludo’s free education policy raises hope

Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has said Early Childhood Care and Development Education (ECCDE) to Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) is free and compulsory for all school-age children in the state.

Soludo, during a visit to one of the schools, also announced a reduction of levies at the senior secondary level, pegging the limit at N5,000 for running cost for schools that would not be remitted to government’s coffers.

He said the move was in line with his vision of an all-inclusive education for the state.

Assuring that the machinery would be put in place to ensure effective implementation, he said his administration would sanction anyone who failed to comply with the declaration.

” Henceforth, no child within that education range will be charged school fees or any other fees to acquire education in the state.

“Children of school age will no longer be deprived of access to quality education; core community schools will be upgraded to smart schools in line with our vision of imparting skillful and sustainable education,” Soludo said.

But, residents of the state who spoke to The Nation said there was nothing to celebrate about the policy as it was not original to the current administration.

Others, however, described it as a welcome development, which should be embraced by stakeholders.

A parent, who preferred anonymity, said: “Soludo is not doing anything new. The free education policy has been there before he came on board. Other administrations before him offered free education to students without fanfare.

“He’s just looking for opportunities to advertise himself. Every six months this government will come with a policy that has been there for 10 years and you guys are clapping for him.”

A resident, Pascal Candle, while describing the policy as a big deceit and jamboree, urged the governor to explain its scope for accountability and transparency.

“The official declaration of the purported free and qualitative education for students in nursery and basic classes and attendant joy is not about “tuition fees” as this has long been made free by previous administrations, starting from Dr. Chris Ngige down to Governor Obiano,” he said.

He urged residents and Civil Society Organisations to step up vigilance and demand for basic accountability and transparency from the Soludo-led administration, especially on the free education declaration.

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On its part, state Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) demanded clarification from Soludo on what his free education policy really meant to ambiguity.

Reacting through its secretary, Okelo Madukaife, the party sought to know whether Soludo’s referenced pronouncement meant there would be no fees in the public schools or that after the fees, there should be no additional charges, as well as who had approved the money to bridge the gap.

The statement partly reads: “Only a proper clarification and backed up by firm official action would point the direction that Soludo’s government wants to go.

“For lack of this badly-needed clarity, these remarks made amid understandable juvenile cheers have been interpreted in different ways by different sections of the media; some as abolishing of additional payments after school fees and others as removal of fees (emplacement of free education) from nursery school to junior secondary school.

“The government of Anambra State now needs to clarify the nature and extent of the governor’s new drive, which, according to the 19-month-old government, runs there should be no additional charges, and who has approved the monies to stand the gap.

“We restate that security, power/energy , local government elections, erosion checks and creative management of the impact of floods are top needs for Anambra State.”

A university teacher, Prof. Dennis Aribodor, however lauded the policy, noting that it would be a game changer in the development of the state if successfully implemented.

He said: “It’s good and quite commendable. It should, however, be matched with adequate budgetary provision to cater for needs of each public school both urban and rural, improvement in infrastructure and environment, teacher welfare, supervision and monitoring.

“If it is implemented successfully, it will be a game changer in the development of Anambra State.”

Leader of Anambra Civil Society Network (ACSONET) Prince Chris Azor hailed Soludo’s uncommon development strides, not just in education, but in social and economic sectors.

“He’s addressing development in a simultaneous manner.

Soludo also proposed to recruit another 3000 teachers to complement the 5000 previously engaged.

“Knowledge is fundamental to unlocking the potentials of every society. Ours is a state blessed with natural talents and intelligence. Skills- based knowledge is, therefore, a prerequisite for development.

“We enjoin Ndi Anambra to key into the Governor’s template and accord him all the necessary and sufficient support for desired result.

“We as civil society, will partner with the government, through adequate sensitisation of the citizens to take ownership of the projects.

“We will also, engage the government to ensure there’s a transparency and accountability standard in service delivery for democracy dividends,” he noted.

For Dr. Chuma-Odili Harris, a resident, the policy is praiseworthy, its enforcement is critical to ensuring compliance by concerned authorities.

His words: “It is a welcome development. He is enforcing the existing education policy in the state. His team of enforcers should go round the state and ensure strict compliance.

“Government is a continuum. It doesn’t matter who owns the concept, the good news here is that Soludo has the political will to make it work. Why didn’t his predecessors promote the policy? What happened?”

September 28, 2023
Fed Govt, VCs commit to improving standard of varsity education

The Federal Government and Vice-Chancellors of universities have committed to improving the standards of university education.

Minister of Education Prof. Tahir Mamman said President Bola Tinubu, who is the visitor to all federal universities, was very serious about turning the nation around.

Mamman said this when the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU) and the Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission visited him in Abuja on Tuesday.

The delegation had the opportunity to discuss several critical challenges faced by public and private universities.

The minister noted that Tinubu’s approach to governance was “very business-like” and that all his ministers would be subjected to quarterly performance reviews.

He assured that the ministry under his watch would address the fundamental and structural issues from primary to tertiary education and work with stakeholders to ensure that the sector was turned around.

He noted that a key focus for the universities would be aligning educational outcomes to national productivity, research innovation and entrepreneurship among graduates to promote self-reliance and reduce dependence on white-collar jobs.

In a statement by the Secretary- General, CVCNU, Prof. Yakubu Ochefu, the chairman of the committee, Prof. Lilian Salami, highlighted some key challenges faced by universities.

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The statement reads: “These include funding, recruitment of staff, universities’ autonomy, aspects of university laws that conflict with other laws and unending industrial disputes with university-based unions.

“Prof. Salami presented the committee’s study report on “Challenges, Opportunities and Sustainable Models for Nigerian Federal Universities” as their input to finding lasting solutions to the challenges facing public and private universities.

“She thanked the minister and his team for the warm reception. She formally invited them to the diamond jubilee celebration of the committee, which takes place from the 9th to 11th October, 2023 in Abuja.”

The meeting, which held at the Federal Ministry of Education Secretariat in Abuja, was attended by the State Minister of Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Andrew David Adejo, the Chairman of CVCNU Salami, members of the executive board of the committee.

Some of the VCs at the meeting included: Prof. Kabiru Adeyemo, VC, Lead City University; Dili Dogo of Nile University; Prof. Ibiyemi Bello, VC, LASU; Fatima Tahir, VC Bauchi State University, Gadau; Prof, Allen Agih, VC, Niger Delta University; Prof. Barnabas Qurix of Bingham University, Prof. Mu’azu Abubakar Gusau, VC, Bello, VC, LASU, Fatima Tahir, VC Bauchi State University, Gadau, Prof, Allen Agih, VC, Niger Delta University, Prof Barnabas Qurix of Bingham University, Prof. Mu’azu Abubakar Gusau, VC, Federal University of Gusau and the Secretary-General CVCNU, Prof. Ochefu.

September 28, 2023
UNIZIK names lecturers, others involved in misconduct

Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, has released names of 13 lecturers, students and others involved in misconducts in the school.

Some of those affected have been recommended by the panel set up by the school for dismissal, suspension or expulsion.

The Special Adviser to the Vice Chancellor, Media Relations and Special Duties, Dr. Emma Ojukwu, told The Nation that investigations were ongoing on other issues.

He said the school authorities are doing everything humanly possible to reposition the institution as the first among equals.

He said: “The Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka has taken disciplinary actions against the following staff and students for various offences.

“The Senior Executive Officer in the Continuing Education Programme (CEP) is indicted for alleged fraudulent transaction. The person is suspended for a period of six months on half salary.

“For one Principal Executive Officer 11, he abandoned his duty post for a considerable length of time. As a result, he was indicted for gross misconduct and suspended from duty for six months to serve as deterrent to other officers.

“Also, a Senior Executive Officer was indicted for fraudulent financial transaction. She is suspended for six months on half salary.

“A Senior Executive Officer, was equally indicted for fraudulent financial transaction and she is suspended for six months on half salary.

“Another Assistant Chief Executive Offiicer was indicted for gross misconduct and suspended for three months.

“A priest and another, were both accused of aiding and abetting examination misconduct after collecting gratification from students.

“Both have been suspended from duty for investigation.

“A renowned Examination Officer was indicted for clearing and graduating a student who had 12 outstanding courses.

Ojukwu said he admitted that he committed the offence and was, therefore, found guilty of falsification of result and grades in favour of the student.

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The panel recommended that the said officer, should be dismissed from the services of the university following appropriate procedure.

As a result, the result should be withdrawn and further credentials such as certificate and transcripts should not be issued to him.

“Three lecturers in the Faculty of Education were indicted for ‘sorting’, obtaining money from students in exchange for unmerited scores.

“They are suspended from duty following appropriate procedure, while the two students involved in the saga were suspended for one academic year and the other expelled respectively for financial fraud, swindling fellow students, exploitation and deliberate refusal to cooperate with investigation.

“Another lecturer, involved in alleged ‘Sorting’ for grades, using students to collect money from fellow students to pass his courses, was described as ‘unfit’ for the University and was sacked, while the student, was suspended for one academic year following appropriate procedure” Ojukwu said.

He said the documents that indicted them are intact, adding that not only one or two indictments, but many.

Further more, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, had over a week ago, disclosed that no fewer than six lecturers are being investigated by the school over sex scandal.

Already, two of such randy lecturers had been shown the way out, while two others were on suspension.

Intimidation and harassment of female students in the institution had become rampant over the years without the management doing any tangible thing about the complaints

However, he said he did not institute any panel that indicted one of the lecturers who was suspended for three months few weeks ago ,as being claimed in some quarters.

On further investigation by The Nation, it was revealed that the panel was instituted by Esimone, adding that he was trying to be clever by half.

A source, told The Nation in the school that one of the members of that panel(names withheld), has refused to attend the Senate meetings till date in anger of the VC, not implementing their report

The Vice Chancellor, further, revealed that if after thorough investigation and any of such lecturers was found guilty, the lecturer must be sacked, adding that the school had zero tolerance for such offences.

Esimone said: “The case involving one of the said lecturers never came up under me as a Vice Chancellor.”

September 28, 2023