Category: Education

A life-term inmate at the Awka Custodial Centre, Anambra State, Jude Onwuzulike, has explained why he was obtaining certificates in prison, Emma Elekwa reports.

Despite genuine efforts by the Federal Government and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to meet international standards and norms for the treatment of prisoners and prison management,  challenges still exist.

They include overcrowding due to the excessive duration of pre-trial detention, poor prison conditions and limited educational and vocational training programmes as a result of inadequate financial, infrastructural, and logistical resources. Inmate released face major challenges reintegrating back into their communities upon release.

But, some inmates, like a life-term inmate at the Awka Custodial Centre, Anambra State, Jude Onwuzulike, one of the 77,684 inmates nationwide (male inmates: 75,933 and female inmates: 1,751), are employing their terms in quality endeavours, like gaining more qualifications, while in the correctional facilities.

But, education, no doubt, requires reading and studying. And to acquire appreciable knowledge and understanding of what one is studying, one required conductive environment, health and mental stability.

An example of such environment is the confinement of a prison now known as a correctional facility where inmates are ordinarily expected to acquire as much education as they desire since they have the time at their disposal. But, unfortunately, their mental state poses a serious challenge to them.

It is, therefore, not surprising to see insignificant number of them embracing the education offered them by the Federal Government through the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS) free. A majority of the inmates are still battling with psychological trauma occasioned by various circumstances leading to their entrance into the facility.

The case is different for Onwuzulike. He refused to allow his predicament constitute a hindrance to furthering his academic ambitions.

For the past 11 years, he had spent in the Awka Custodial Centre, he had secured three certificates in various fields, namely, Post Graduate Diploma in Information Technology and Education as well as Masters in Information Technology.These are, of course, outside the first degree he acquired prior to his imprisonment.

‘I have something to offer the society’

Explaining reasons behind his frequent acquisition of degree certificates at the correctional facility after receiving the most recent certificate of PGDE from NOUN, Onwuzulike said he believed he had something to offer to the society. He added that he had set a target for himself amidst his predicament, which included lecturing in any higher institution in the country.

He said: “When I came here, I didn’t know such a programme existed. I thought it was only in advanced countries that such existed. I came in here with only a certificate, but now I have three; and I’m ready to acquire another one before I go.

“My first certificate from the National Open University was PGD in Information Technology, second was Masters in Information Technology. Today is PGD in Education. I thank the National Open University for bringing this to our door steps.

“I strongly believe I have something to offer in the nearest future. I have a target which I set for myself, regardless of my condition.

“I’m quite convinced that one day I’ll get out of this place, and once I’m out, I’ll begin from where I stopped, and these certificates will be of immense benefit to me.

“For example, this one I got today, I have intention of using it to secure a lecturing job tomorrow. You know in Nigeria, if you don’t have a certificate in Education, you can’t be a lecturer. But this certificate will enable me fit into any university of my choice.”

How his wife stood by him

Appreciating his wife, who was present on the occasion, for her immense support since his sojourn at the Correctional Centre, Onwuzulike, a father of four children, described her as amazing and special gift from God.

He said: “This is the 11th year since I had this problem and have been away from home. Yet, she stood by me, giving me the necessary support, even though I’m on life imprisonment, which is enough reason to abandon me.

“The reason behind this rare support is simply because she knows me too well. I met her during her second year in the university and since then, we’ve been living well.

“I must confess to you, the woman is amazing.Taking care of my kids for these years, till this moment is not easy.

“To my fellow inmates, I want you to see here as a stepping stone. It’s time to enroll. You can continue even if you’re discharged. You’ll never regret it.”

Good news from Deputy Controller, Corrections

Deputy Controller of Corrections, Uba Solomon, who hailed Onwuzulike’s resilience, said plans were on to review his jail term, expressing optimism of a positive outcome.

He said: “There’s plan to review his jail terms. Few months ago, there was a prerogative of mercy sent through a representative of the state government and he was invited for interview. We hope something good will come out from that meeting.

“Actually, education is in his blood. He got his B.Sc. outside and decided to take advantage of this opportunity to improve himself because he knows the value of education.”

He added: “We thank the Controller of Corrections for creating the enabling environment for the students. We’re lucky here to have a CC, who’s passionate about education.

“We also appreciate the NOUN for the partnership to ensure that willing inmates don’t leave the prison the way they came. Most of them came in with primary school certificates and could not write their names.

“But today, they have not only been found worthy of learning and character, but they are now with higher qualifications.

“We urge other inmates to be challenged by his doggedness and seize the privilege offered by the Nigeria Correctional Service and NOUN of passing through a university without paying any fee.

“We believe we’ll have more than this number in the future because this study centre is not only meant for inmates, it’s also for staff members and others interested in education. Our certificate is superior to others offered by certain institutions.”

Earlier during the certificate presentation, Director of NOUN, Awka Study Centre, Dr. Scholastica Ezeribe expressed delight at the inmates’ enthusiasm towards academics.

Ezeribe, who was represented by Dr. Georgina Ogbonna, urged other inmates to utilise the free opportunity provided by the government to better their lots ahead of their freedom.

She said: “We’re here to honour our students for their academic achievements despite their condition. Because we know the importance of education as an institution, we’ve made lot of sacrifices to ensure inmates in this centre benefit from the programme.

“Certain privileges have been provided, including making the programme almost free, to enable them pursue their academic dreams seamlessly. We’re proud of them and happy they made full use of the opportunity.

“Many have graduated in the past three years and it gives us joy that we’re honouring them and presenting certificates to them. We encourage others to borrow a leaf as nothing is restricting them.”

• By, Kehinde Abayomi and Victor Billy

In the wake of a new administration, ICA Nigeria, a professional organisation for communications researchers and professionals, has put a spotlight on the pivotal role of communication in delivering democratic dividends and achieving sustainable goals.

According to the group: “Communication is the anchor for any government determined to deliver democratic dividends to citizens and to achieve sustainable goals”.

It also proposed effective measures of clear and impactful communication are important in sharing public opinion. 

The plan should effectively address the communications needs of all, especially those of vulnerable populations like women, children, people living with disabilities and the economic power.

It made the submissions at its second quarterly seminar at the Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja. The event, which was held in person and on Zoom, was focused on navigating ICA aims to equip communications researchers with expert tips and strategies to enhance their chances of successful submission and publication of interactional journals and conferences. 

ICA Nigeria chair observed that communication is the anchor for any government determined to deliver democratic dividends to citizens and to achieve sustainable goals. 

Read Also: UNIPORT hosts inauguration of ICA Nigeria chapter today

She said: “Government must take the lead and all stakeholders will follow. First focus on transparency as Nigeria transitions into a new era under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu effective communication plays a vital role in establishing trust , understanding and unity among the citizens. Government should also prioritize engagement, collaboration and inclusivity of all stakeholders, a mutually respectful relationship with the media will promote accurate reporting and facilitate constructive dialogue between the government, media and citizens.”

According to George, the group is dedicated to advancing the field of communications and supporting professionals in their pursuit of excellence to organize a national community of and provide the interests of the international communication association (ICA) in Nigeria.

“As a leading professional organization in the communications field, ICA Nigeria is committed to supporting the newly elected government in establishing a strong communications foundation that is prerequisite for its success by promoting an informed and engaged society. We hope that through strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and effective messaging, the government can foster trust, understanding, and collaboration for the benefit of both the government and its citizens,” she said.

The event also featured a seminar with speakers, including Prof. Srividya Ramasubramanian from Syracuse University, USA; Mohan Dutta from Massey University, New Zealand; Dr. Sarah Chidiebere Joe (Rivers State University), and Mr. Odoh D. Okenyodo (Nasarawa State University)

University of Lagos (UNILAG) Vice Chancellor Prof. Folasade Ogunsola yesterday led academics in requesting for full autonomy to be given to universities to make choices.

  This is against the backdrop of the controversy over the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards between the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

She urged  NUC and ASUU to arrive at a positive outcome on the controversy hovering around Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) and Benchmark Minimum Academic Standard (BMAS).

Her words: “I think what we want is the autonomy. We want the autonomy to choose exactly what we do and we will get there. We have a lot of new universities and maybe some of our older universities need less support than others.

“I think NUC is on the right part, but I understand where ASUU is coming from. We really want full autonomy. We would get there. I think we are on the right part. I think if we sit down together, some of these things would be resolved.

“I also think there has been some misunderstanding. The initial BMAS was very restrictive. It was essentially a curriculum that was handed over. The CCMAS has given a little more lead way for universities to own their own curriculum.

“Both the BMAS and the CCMAS are still needful. From what NUC had said, they would constantly reduce their involvement in the BMAS.

“There’s BMAS in everywhere in the world. Just that ours was a little quite restrictive. What essentially they have been doing is reducing the restrictions, but we can still do better.

Also, an Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy, UNILAG, Dr. Tony Okeregbe, described the university as a learning field, not practical field. He added that the practical aspect of the curriculum does not sit well with higher institutions.

“NUC should have sensitised universities before carrying that project. Thereafter, it should have called some respected stakeholders in tertiary education to discuss the modalities before carrying out the new development. On their own part, they might think they might have done it.

“The template they brought to different universities somehow undermines the very meaning and intention of university education. Their intention of bringing this is to make university as practical as possible. But they forget the university education is not as practical nor skill and expertise inclined.

“While we subscribe to their view that young people need skills, the kind of the skill they are talking about is different from what the university should provide. If you are talking about practical skills, you can do that anywhere, not in the university,” he noted.

To a professor of Philosophy, Prof. Douglas Anele, CCMAS is incomplete and inferior to the older BMAS. He also described it as an imposition of institution’s Senate body.

His words: “As a former Head of Department, we did a curriculum review in my department. The curriculum we are running is superior to the one NUC is bringing. The topics they are proposing, we already have them.

“I don’t know what’s happening to our senior professors. When they leave university, they act differently. They are part of us.”

 A lecturer and Clinical Psychologist at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology(LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Dr. Fisayo Adebimpe, noted that the CCMAS is deviating from the already established standard, which can be improved on and modified.

She said: “University Senates are custodian of academics development and responsible for generating standards and also regulation of courses/programmes.

“They have the statutory power to review and scrutinise the curriculum of all programmes offered.

“The CCMAS is deviating from the already established standard which can be improved on and modified.”

About 44 years after it was developed, the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) is still begging governments and other institutions to patronise its products, our Correspondent Kolade Adeyemi reports.

KNOWING that ideas rule the world must have propelled the founding fathers of Nigeria to conceptualised the establishment of an institution like the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to think for Nigeria and generate such ideas needed for growth. Hence, the institute was established in 1979 through Decree number 20 of 1979.

  The institute, based in Kuru, near Jos, Plateau State, became the nation’s “think tank” from where developmental policies are sourced and implemented for socio-economic and socio-political development of the country.

NIPSS as high-level centre for reflection, research, dialogue

The main objectives of the institute include to conducts courses for top-level policymakers and executors drawn from different sectors of the country, with a view to expanding their outlook and perspectives and stretching their conceptual capacity and qualities of discernment and analyses, thereby helping to improve their overall performance in their different fields. It is also meant to organise and carry out on an interdisciplinary basis, indebt research into the socio, economic, political, security, scientific, cultural and other problems facing Nigeria, with a view to contributing to the search for their solutions.

Moreso, it is mandated to conducts seminars, workshops and other action-oriented programmes for leaders and potential leaders in the public service, the private sector, political organisations, professional bodies, and other groups to promote, define, and enhance the appreciation for long-range national plans and objectives. It is to publish books, journals, monographs, and other materials in the interest of the nation, as a contribution to knowledge and for a better national and international understanding.

The fast pace of change and national development in countries across the world, especially over the past three decades, has been driven by paradigm transitions towards “thinking globally and acting locally”. Successful national growth and development have, therefore, been accomplished under inherently deft, visionary and people-oriented national policies and strategies.

With these clear-cut objective, the national institute serves as a high-level centre for reflection, research and dialogue, where academics of excellence, seasoned policy initiators and executors and other citizens of mature experience and wisdom drawn from all walks of life, meet to reflect and exchange ideas on the great issues of society, particularly as they relate to Nigeria and Africa within the context of a constantly changing world.

The role of the institute is not limited to the training of high-level policy makers and executors. As the nation’s topmost policy think-tank, the Institute, through its Directorate of Research, makes direct and regular contributions to the national policy process in terms of initiating and evaluating various policy initiatives and strategies.

How the institute is carrying out its duties

 Manned by a team of skilled and highly competent research fellows, the Directorate of Research organises seminars, conferences and workshops, brainstorming sessions and other strategic engagements and collaborations.The directorate also provides significant support to the Senior Executive Course as well as submits regular policy briefs and reports to the government.

Through these activities and its reports and publications, the institute has built up a rich reservoir of knowledge that can be harnessed to drive Nigeria’s national development aspirations.

 As a contribution to the deepening of democracy in Nigeria and Africa, the institute also has a centre known as The Political Parties Leadership and Policy Development Centre, which is dedicated to building the capacity of political parties to operate professionally and effectively.

Established in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Centre is domiciled in the Directorate of Research and is involved in capacity building, election monitoring and other activities, which enhance democracy in Nigeria and Africa.

 Still struggling to get acceptance

of political leaders

The Director-General of the institute, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, who took over the mantle of leadership at the institute last year, is a man who likes to call a spade a spade. He said the institute has not been so visible in the affairs of the country since its inception.

The DG is still struggling to get political leaders to make use of its products. He is still trying to get political office holders, governments, private sectors etc. to draw policies from its policy reservoir and apply them for the growth and development of the nation.

Speaking through Prof. Sola Adeyanju, the Head of Public Affairs Department of the institute, the DG in an interview with The Nation, said the NIPSS has been going about begging governments and other institutions to patronise its products – meaning that the governments seemed not to see the relevance of the institute it set up 44 years ago.

The Nation realised that the relevance of the national institute declined more under the current political dispensation as government now implements party manifestoes and campaign promises. In other words, campaign promises and party manifestoes have become government policies and programme, making those strategic policies generated by the institute irrelevant to political office holders.

Therefore, it behooves on the management of NIPSS going from one ministry to another, going from one agency to another, begging them to implement policies it has generated over the years.

Adeyanju said: “The Director General has looked inward and came up with the idea that it is not just enough to generate policies and relax. He has, therefore, decided to push its acceptability, ensure its implementations and monitor them. On the basis of that, the DG has inaugurated a committee on implementation of its policies. This committee comprises of the participants, who sat to formulate these policies in the past. Their job now is to look at the policies and identified the stakeholders that are supposed to implement them and mount a follow up. In addition to that, each SEC is supposed to have its policy implementation committee that must push for the implementation of the policy they generate.”

In other words, participants of the institute are to market their research products in the  markets. The institute is tired of piling up its research works and it has no more space in its warehouse to store these documents. So, it has to send out marketers, called “Parley Report Policy Implementation Committees”, to market its products and make itself relevance in the same country that created it.

“It is not part of the duties of NIPSS to force government to implement the policies we generated. But we are compelled to do that because the nation must do things right so as to avoid policy summersault that we are witnessing.

“So, we have to go the extra miles to push for implementations and offer the strategies and technical advice needed to guide the implementation and achieve expected results,” said Adeyanju.

The Nation learnt that the theme for studies by participants are approved by the President yearly. “These study themes for each year is provided by the President on a topical issue affecting the nation.

At the end of the course, participants present a well-researched policy paper on their study findings at a parley with Mr. President in council.

Within the last decade alone, the nation’s Think Tank has conducted researches in almost every sector of national economy, only to discover that policy recommendations from such researches have remain on the national library awaiting implementation.

The national institute is 44-year-old producing policies that no one cares to implement. Yet, it plans to be one of the top three think-tanks in Africa by 2025.

A member of the Rotary Club of District 9141, Mr Emeke Utebor, has emerged District Governor for four States in the Southsouth geo-political zone for the Rotary Year 2023/2024.

Utebor, who was installed, at an elaborate ceremony in Asaba, Delta Capital, weekend, said he would prioritise membership drive through promotion of the focal areas of the charity organisation.

He listed Rotary club’s mandate areas to include Peace and Conflict Resolution, Maternal and Child healthcare, Disease Prevention, Education and Literacy and Environmental/Infrastructure Development.

The event, which had in attendance Delta Governor, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by an aide, Johnson Erijo, featured award presentation to deserving Rotary Clubs in District 9141.

Utebor urged Nigerians to identify with the activities of Rotary organisation to build hope and peace in communities through enhancement of quality of life for the needy.

According to him, acquisition of great wealth is not a significant factor in the task putting smiles on the faces of the less privileged. He said Rotarians were kindhearted rather than wealthy people.

He said, “Rotarians are not necessarily rich people, but kind-hearted people; we join forces with others to provide better life for others as our civic responsibility.”

Read Also: Governor’s wife hails Rotary Club for equipping hospital

He went on, “Partnership, therefore, is crucial in giving hope to the less privileged; for example, partnership with government and good-spirited individuals as well as groups will go a long way to significantly bridge the needs gap of the less privileged in our communities”.

He said District 9141 recently donated a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine to the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for children with respiratory problems.

He said, although Rotary International does not participate actively in politics, the Nigerian chapter played an unprecedented role as independent observers in the 2023 General Election due to its passion for peace and hope in Nigeria.

Utebor noted that the number of clubs under District 9141, which spans Delta, Edo, Bayelsa and Rivers states, has grown from 51 at its creation in 2017 to 137.

He charged rotarians to create hope in the world as reflected in the theme for the year ‘Create Hope In The World’, urging good-spirited individuals and corporate organizations to join forces with Rotary International to render help and improve the lives of vulnerable persons and communities.

Utebor, while giving a brief history of the organisation’s interventions, noted that all projects executed by the club are done only after a needs assessment.

A student of Erudite Millennium Miss Aisha Boladale has won the British Council’s Country Best Award for Cambridge A’ Level Biology.

Boladale scored 91% to beat all other Cambridge A’ Level scholars in Nigeria.

She was announced as the winner at an event at Civic Centre, Victoria Island Lagos on Thursday.

Boladale, who recently scored 8/9 in IELTS Academic Writing, talks about her experience at the co-educational institution which has its headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo state.

She said: “I want to specially thank Erudite Millennium Limited for what it has made out of me during my one-year stay.”

“The educational institution is one-of-a-kind in Africa, known for its exemplary performance in different foreign programmes such as Cambridge, the Scholastic Aptitude Test(SAT), IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, and lots more.”

“I personally joined Erudite in January 2022. I took part in the one-month training for the American College Test (ACT) and got 35 out of 36 in ACT English. Then I joined the Cambridge October November class. I was quite taken aback when I realised it was only going to be an 8-month long programme.”

“However, Erudite Millennium made it happen, and I came out with 16/16 points (A*AA: 91% in biology, 89% in chemistry and 83% in physics). Then, I proceeded to sit for the SAT after one month of training and scored 1410 out of 1600. I also wrote the IELTS, and I got an overall band score of 8 out of 9, with a band 9 in listening and band 8 in academic writing.”

“The experience I gathered during my stay in Erudite was also immeasurable. I got to share ideas with other students from different educational backgrounds, including people from different parts of the world(America, Qatar, Malaysia, Liberia, and so on)

“What makes Erudite different from other institutions is the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) Programme, aimed at teaching students the most sought-after skills of the 21st Century, which will not only give them an edge over their peers when getting considered for foreign scholarships, but also provide a money-making opportunity for the young generation.”

“Perhaps what is most notable about Erudite is the utmost professionalism and diligence of the staff members, coupled with the determination to give excellent results in a short period of time and make unimaginable progress. Imagine going from a 60% success rate in the 2022 May/June Cambridge examination to an incredible 80% success rate in the October/November series of the same year!!! This is truly what only Erudite can deliver.”

Read Also: Grace School wins British council award

“For parents who seek both academic and social excellence for their children, Erudite Millennium Limited is the best bet. There is literally nowhere else in the entire Africa where such amazing results are delivered in such little time. As the CEO and founder, Mr Saheed Oladele would say,” We don’t celebrate mediocrity.” Erudite Millenium Limited in itself is an epitome of excellence, and so is its founder”.

Boladale’s father, Dr. Abiodun Boladale noted that he was surprised to be told that his daughter recorded such achievement.

According to him: “My Aisha Scoring 16 points in Cambridge A levels, that’s incredible. She has just been offered admission by University of Ibadan, effortlessly, into 200 level to study medicine and surgery. That is aside offers from universities abroad. Thank you for navigating this journey.”

Erudite Millennium Founder/ Chief Executive Officer, Mr Saheed Oladele, while speaking with journalists in Ibadan, noted that Boladale is a representative of October/November 2022 set where the co-educational institution recorded 80% success rate.

He said:”We won British Council’s Country Best Award for Cambridge A’ Level biology on Thursday. Kudos to Aisha Boladale for making Erudite Millennium Ltd proud. She scored 91% to beat every other Cambridge A’ Level scholar in Nigeria. Aisha is a representative of our Oct/Nov 2022 set where we recorded 80% success rate”.

Gov Agbu Kefas of Taraba on Friday declared free education in all state government primary and secondary schools with effect from the next academic session.

This, he said was to cushion the effects of the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

Kefas Made the declaration while on the assessment tour of primary and secondary schools in Wukari, his home town.

According to him, starting from the next academic session, primary and secondary education in Taraba  would be free.

The governor also noted that his administration would immediately embark on massive renovation of most of the schools to enable them to meet the demands of modern-day education.

Read Also: Kefas slashes Taraba Varsity fees by half

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Kefas had recently declared a state of emergency on primary and secondary education as slashed the school fees of Taraba University and that of College of Nursing and Midwifery by 50 per cent.

“Let me announce to you that by next academic session, the state government will take responsibility of the school fees and all of you will attend school free of charge.

“We will continue to support you to have access to qualitative education for brighter future of our state,” he said.

Mr Daniel Nuhu, a Zonal Director of Education, lauded Gov Kefas for making out time to personally assess the condition of public schools in the state.

Nuhu noted that the free education and renovation of primary and secondary schools would go a long way in turning around the fortunes of the less privileged in the state  by granting them equal access to quality education.

(NAN)