The Nation Newspaper

Category: Education

  • Assessing Fed Poly Nekede’s anti-exploitation policies, moral direction

    Assessing Fed Poly Nekede’s anti-exploitation policies, moral direction

    By Ugochukwu Iwuji

    The Rector, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Dr. Michael Chidiebere Arimanwa, has recorded smart, profound successes in the area of discipline and moral reawakening among staff and students. His pragmatic approach in this direction could best be described as a paradigm shift.

    Among the proactive measures the Rector has put in place to check indiscipline, the one that readily stands out, according to observers, is the whistle-blowing policy.

    It was through this policy that a set of three numbers were made available to students to call or text in situations where they feel exploited by staff or fellow students. The rector also committed to protecting the identity of any student who blows the whistle when distressed. Beyond the whistle-blowing, students have been availed so many options to ventilate their complaints without fear of intimidation.

    There are the options of reporting to the Division of Student Affairs, Student Union Government, Women in Technical Education and Development (WITED), Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri Women Association (FEPNOWA) and Service Compact for all Nigerians (SERVICOM), who only last year rated the polytechnic among the best institutions in service delivery nationwide.

    In a The Sun article of Thursday, January 12, 2023, page 12, the Rector was described as setting the pace in arresting perennial unwholesome practices in academia.

    “Rector Arimanwa has also set up a task force which has sensitised students to report cases of exploitation of any kind for necessary disciplinary action.

    “In addition, the Rector has charged women organisations such as the FEPNOWA and the WITED to join in the fight against financial or sexual exploitation. To this end, cases of extortion and exploitation have been reduced to the barest minimum or eliminated in the polytechnic.

    “To stave off incidences of non-teaching staff exploiting students at the point of registration or processing of files, the Rector has completely digitised operations in the institution as students do their registrations and documentation digitally. Thus, a student can stay at home and do all his registrations with the aid of an android phone. With this, there will be little or no queues which give room for exploitation.”

    The Rector has also been resolute in arresting the corruption in textbook writing and sales. In a move described as unprecedented, he put a price seal on the sales of textbooks. There is virtually no institution around that has gone as far as regulating the sales of books the manner the Rector has done.

    In fact, a friend of mine once told me about a certain institution in the east where lecturers sell pamphlets for as high as N5000 – in a maddening rush for the filthy lucre.

    In the same Daily Sun article, the Rector’s exemplary stance in eradicating corruption in textbook administration is again highlighted: “Amid the simmering corruption in the academia, some institutions have nonetheless distinguished themselves in setting the pace. They are however too few, regrettably.

    “In this class belongs the Federal Polytechnic Nekede where its Rector has been single-minded in deploying global best practices and cutting-edge methods in winnowing unacceptable practices.

    “The Rector for instance has ensured that lecturers do not shortchange students hence he has made the buying of textbooks from lecturers optional in addition to releasing a set of guidelines regulating book publishing and sales in the institution.

    “Accordingly, no book, despite its size and volume, sells for more than N2500 while some others may sell between N800 and N2000. Even so, the font size of each of the books does not exceed 12 points. There are committees on books and anti-plagiarism that ensure that works follow prescribed rules.”

    Amid a whirlwind of moral revolution, some characters may still choose to resist change. These characters are the real saboteurs of society or organisation. They could be students as well as staff. They prefer treading on the old, unprofitable path for selfish and primordial gains.

    These characters are the black sheep of an organisation that puts on the mask of anti-essentialists in the face of profound ethical reorientation.

    This is the category where the likes of Sharon Okoroafor, the supposed student of the polytechnic, whose show of shame on TikTok, will forever be a stigma on her and her family. She does not represent the standards of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, a reason her defamatory antics on the polytechnic have failed.

    There are strong pieces of evidence already that the said Sharon is no student of the polytechnic as no bonafide student of Nekede would dare the show of shame displayed by her.

    Indeed, no institution may be perfect in exhausting all possible measures of checking ineptitude. There will naturally be a “Judas” and an “Achan” in every organisation who sabotages the system in the process of resisting genuine transformational efforts. There will thus be lecturers who are as irredeemably undisciplined as students who are predisposed to negative ideas. Psychically, the choice to be either good or bad lies on a staff or student.

    This is why a lady who suddenly becomes a sex worker has no justifiable reason for being so. It is all a matter of choice and not of poverty or frustration as readily and pettily claimed.

    However, it has been acknowledged by all and sundry that Rector Arimanwa has made bold and brilliant moves in maintaining moral stability in the system he met a few years ago. And for this, posterity will ever be kind to him.

    • Dr. Iwuji writes from the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo State.

  • Parents chide Fedpoly over student’s claim on graduation

    Parents chide Fedpoly over student’s claim on graduation

    As the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri, Imo State, begun an investigation into a controversial claim by a female student of the institution who said she graduated with the help of “God and her private part,” parents have advised the Rector, Dr. Michael Arimanwa, to look deeply into the student’s claim.

    The student, Ogechi Okoroafor, had said on Tiktok that she graduated from the institution because of her private part and God.

    The management, quickly issued a statement through the Registrar of the polytechnic, Mrs. Eucharia. C. Anuna, describing the lady’s comment as blasphemous and against the moral standard of the institution.

    The management said it considers the action of the student most unacceptable and preposterous.

    However, some of the parents, who spoke to The Nation, said notwithstanding the reaction of the management of the institution, there was a need for them to look deeply inward into the claim of the student to unravel shady and sharp practices going on in the institution.

    Athan Agbakuru advised the management to determine in the process of their investigation whether the student’s pussy aided her graduation in the area of funding such as paying tuition and sundry fees.

    “Let the investigation end and determine whether her pussy aided her graduation in the area of funding such as paying tuition and sundry fees through the years or passing her exams with randy lecturers in the institution. She has let the cat out of the bag and no amount of intimidation can clear the mess so easily.

    “The management should rather look deeply inward to unravel shady and sharp practices going on in the polytechnic. Hasty or rash conclusions and actions on this singular revealed case cannot solve the riddle and may turn counterproductive in the long run,” Agbakuru said.

    For Francis Ihume, the management should jettison the idea of investigating the girl as she has spoken the truth from her mind.

    “The girl spoke the truth straight from her mind and they want to investigate; investigate what? That’s how they failed in training her where they are pursuing money, and now they want her to become a liar,” he said.

    Emma Mgbaosuru said although the girl’s comment was outrageous, she  was not making a confession.

    “Listen, for a young woman to believe that her body should secure her a certificate without knowledge, is something very outrageous. She wasn’t making a confession. She as well exposed the evils in our educational system.

    “There is something one isn’t supposed to boast about. In an orderly clime, her certificate should be withdrawn.

    “She is not the only culprit, but others understood the shame in boasting with that,” Mgbaosuru stressed.

    Also, a journalist, Val Okara, noted that the school’s management was trying to divert public attention by setting up an investigative panel.

    “The management is trying to divert public attention. What are they investigating? Members of the purported committee are guilty as charged. The lecturers involved should be brought to the book. The management should not hesitate to prosecute the  staff of the polytechnic involved.”

    However, the graduating student, through her lawyer, has denied her comment.

    On Tuesday, she wrote the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Arimanwa, through her lawyer, Ikechukwu Nwaopara, describing her comments as a “slip of the tongue.”

    While apologising to the polytechnic, the student said she never intended to put the institution in a bad light.

  • Lagos school at the mercy of land grabbers

    Lagos school at the mercy of land grabbers

    A Lagos school invaded and sealed by suspected land grabbers has called for intervention of state authorities as the suspects remain unyielding despite disrupting the education of innocent children. DAMOLA KOLA-DARE reports.

    For pupils and staff of Shalom Group of Schools, a private school consisting of Shalom Nursery and Primary School and Cedar College, Candos, Baruwa, Ipaja, Lagos, last Monday would forever be etched in their memories.

     They had prepared like other pupils for school, little did they have premonition that they would be denied access into the premises. They got the shock of their lives when they saw that the school’s gates – the main one in front and the other one beside – had been pulled down and the premises fenced off. The culprits? Hoodlums suspected to be land grabbers claimed they were the rightful owner of the school’s land and they had come to reclaim it.

    When The Nation visited the school on Monday morning, over  100 pupils were seen in front of the school carrying placards with various inscriptions such as “Save our school”; “I came to school this morning only to be denied access”; “We want to learn”; “Press, government come to our rescue”, among others. It was a rowdy session. Parents, staff and top ranking members of the school management were not left out. They were confused as they expressed their angst at the situation.

    Principal of the college, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Okocha, noted that the incident happened on Saturday as the suspected landgrabbers invaded the school, pulled down the gates and fenced it off. She noted that they came with armed policemen and appeals to them fell on deaf ears as they threatened to shoot. She said parents had to rush in to evacuate their wards who are boarders.

    Mrs. Okocha said: “When I entered the premises on Saturday, I saw two policemen with some suspected landgrabbers.They pulled down the gates to gain entrance because the security personnel didn’t allow them in. They also removed the see-through iron on our fence and fenced off everywhere.

    “All efforts to appeal to them fell on deaf ears as they threatened to shoot us. We called parents to evacuate their wards. We cannot fight them, they are landgrabbers.”

    The principal called on Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene and save the future of the pupils.

    “We plead with Governor Sanwo-Olu to intervene. There is no dispute on the land. This is where we are bringing out the future of tomorrow. When they destroy education, where do we start? We are begging the government to come and rescue us from these landgrabbers,” she said.

    The Proprietress, Mrs. Adedayo Odeka, noted that the school had been in existence for over 20 years with no dispute on the land. She stated that the land was Federal Government-allocated and the documents with her are authentic. Mrs. Odeka said she didn’t purchase the land from any indigene. Hence, she could not fathom why some people would come and seal off the school and claim ownership of the land.

    She said the school would report to the Lagos State Ministry of Education at  Alausa,  though the Education District is aware. Odeka added that the management has sought legal advice.

    She said: “There is no dispute concerning this land. We got this land from the government, not from land owners or indigenes. We have our papers and they are authentic. It is Federal Government-allocated land. We were in school last Friday. But over the weekend, this place was sealed off after hoodlums broke into the school.

    “We reported at the Ipaja Police Station and the Divisional Police Officer was here. Despite the intervention of the police, they sealed the place. “

    More drama, perpetrators unyielding

    According to her, more drama ensued late Monday when the hoodlums came to cause trouble following the insistence of pupils to enter the sealed premises.

    “The hoodlums came around to foment trouble in the afternoon. The pupils said they wanted to go in. We called the police again. They calmed the situation. We had to break the wall they built at our entrance. After the police left, they rebuilt it.

    “Some people in the neighbourhood have alerted us that they saw them bringing people to the place to check probably to sell. But, we will report to the Ministry of Education. Management will meet before then.”

    Lamentations by parents, staff, pupils

    Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Chairman, Mr. Champion Afolayan, said: “We rushed down here at the weekend and we saw that the hoodlums that invaded the school were many. They were armed. We passed through the back gate to rescue the pupils and our daughter, a boarder. The school and those claiming ownership of the land should have a dialogue and settle whatever issues amicably.

    “Recently, we saw posters around that they had taken their land from the Federal Government.

    “The pupils should be considered; they are our future leaders. Their mates are in school, while they are outside. This school has been in existence for over 20 years. We call on state authorities to intervene for pupils to resume learning.”

    A boarder in the school, Miss Success Afolayan, an SSS 2  pupil, said she felt tortured and traumatised on Saturday when the hoodlums invaded their school.

    Assistant Head Boy,  Umughele Oghene,  said: “We are appealing to the Lagos State Government to help us. This was scary for us on Saturday. The hoodlums came with weapons, we ran away from the hostel. We are having our West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) soon and we really need to be tutored.”

    Condemnation from NAPTAN, CPN

    The National Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has condemned the act. Through its Deputy National President, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, the association said the land grabbers should be prosecuted for disrupting the education of innocent children.

    “The association is against such. We condemn it. It is unfortunate they took laws into their hands. They should be prosecuted for disrupting education of children. It is uncalled for. If they are owners, they should go through the right and due process. We parents are unhappy about such act,” he said.

    Also, Child Protection Network (CPN), Lagos Chapter, expressed dismay over the situation. A statement by its Coordinator, Mrs. Ronke Oyelakin, noted that the act was unacceptable in a society that understands that children should be safe and protected at all times irrespective of tribe, creed and affiliation.

    “Our attention has been brought to current land grabbers act in a school during academic sessions. As child protectors, this is not acceptable in a society that understands that children should be safe and protected at all times irrespective of their present environment; in the school, worship centres, parks, etc.

    “It is absolutely wrong for any society and system not to always put the plights of the children first; their best interest should be a determining factor always before any action is taken that may directly or indirectly affect them emotionally or otherwise.

    “It is so sad that the pupils were chased outside. I could imagine what was going on in their minds: these are the future generation that we are talking about.

    “It is high time we changed this narrative, even if there is a dispute on a property. It should be resolved amicably by the parties involved.

    “CPN Lagos considered these actions by the parties involved uncalled for and not acceptable in a learning environment. Obviously, it is likely going to affect their academic calendar and studies until it is resolved. But we plead if the ministry can intervene swiftly and ensure they all complete the current term and those writing WAEC and NECO should be sorted out.”

    ‘Federal Govt-allocated land contentious’

    A Lagos-based educationist, who craved anonymity, said: “The land grabbers purposely targeted this period because they know the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) would commence soon and pupils would be preparing. Hence, the issue of the government-allocated land sold to individuals is usually contentious.

    “The school management should handle the situation with care, it should send an emissary to the aggrieved parties and find who the rightful owner or family is before the government allocated the land. The other party may claim right to the land since it was allocated by the government. Then, they should try to settle the dispute amicably probably through some payment. There should be a dialogue for the sake of the pupils. I would not also advice taking the matter to court, but an out of court settlement would do some magic. This would enable pupils to resume and continue their education.”

    What the law says

    A Lagos-based lawyer, Festus Ogun, while condemning the actions of the land grabbers, said: “l feel that the action of the suspected land grabbers are despicable and should be condemned in strongest terms.

    “The Lagos State Property Protection Law, 2016, prohibits the use of force or self-help by anyone to take over any land or landed property.Thus, the mindless destruction of the school properties is an offence punishable under the criminal laws of Lagos State. In all, the perpetrators should be arrested and brought to book without hesitation.

    “Important to state that there are far better ways of contesting title to land or resolving land disputes. Violence is surely not one of it. There are tribunals and special task force in Lagos where the perpetrators can file reports and lodge complaints.

    “Importantly, they can approach the civil courts for redress.Taking the laws into their hands, particularly in such a way that affects the kids’ rights to education is clearly not supported by law. There must be consequences.”

    ‘We are  lawful owners of property’

    The Lawal Family of Lawal village in Baruwa Ipaja, through the spokesperson Chief Moruf Owonla, also known as Kaka, said the family only lawfully took possession of its landed property from the school owner after a futile effort to recover the property.

    According to him,  the land was initially taken by the Federal Government and designated a cemetery, but it was clandestinely distributed to unknown persons. The court however restored the land to the family over a decade ago.

    Ministry of Education to step in

    Spokesperson of the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr. Ganiyu Lawal, in a chat with The Nation, said the ministry would send appropriate officials to the school to find out what the issues are.

    “We don’t know why landgrabbers would go and seal off a private school. The ministry would respond accordingly,” he said.

  • Suspected landgrabbers take over Lagos school

    Suspected landgrabbers take over Lagos school

    Hoodlums suspected to be landgrabbers have sealed off Shalom Group of Schools, a private school consisting Shalom Nursery and Primary School and Cedar College in Baruwa, Lagos, claiming to be owners of the school’s land.

    More than 100 pupils were seen in front of the school on Monday morning carrying placards with various inscriptions such as ‘Save our school; I came to school this morning only to be denied access; we want to learn‘, among others.

    Principal of the college, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Okocha, told The Nation the incident happened on Saturday as the suspected landgrabbers invaded the school, pulled down the gates and fenced it off.
    She noted that they came with armed policemen and all efforts to appeal to them fell on deaf ears as they threatened to shoot. 

    She said parents had to rush in to evacuate their wards who are boarders.

    Okocha called on Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene and save the future of the pupils.

    Read Also: Save us from landgrabbers, residents beg Sanwo-Olu

    She said: “When I entered the premises on Saturday, I saw two policemen with some suspected landgrabbers. They pulled down the gates to gain entrance because the security personnel didn’t allow them in. They also removed the see-through iron on our fence and fenced off everywhere.

    “All efforts to appeal to them fell on deaf ears as they threatened to shoot us. We called parents to evacuate their wards. We cannot fight them, they are landgrabbers.”

    Proprietress, Mrs Adedayo Odeka, said the land was Federal Government-allocated, adding the school had been in existence for over 20 years with no dispute concerning the land. 

    She said the management reported to Ipaja Police Station and the Divisional Police Officer came to the scene.

    PTA Chairman, Mr. Champion Afolayan called on state authorities to intervene for pupils to resume learning.

     “Recently, we saw posters all around that the land is taken from the federal government,” he added.

    Umughele Oghene, a student of the school, Assistant Headboy, said: “We are appealing to the Lagos State Government to help us. On Saturday, the hoodlums came with weapons. We ran away from the hostel. We are having our West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE)  soon and we really need to be tutored.”

  • Principals pledge commitment to oil palm, coconut seedlings productivity in Anambra

    Principals pledge commitment to oil palm, coconut seedlings productivity in Anambra

    Principals of secondary schools and other heads of institutions in Anambra State have pledged to support the distribution of oil palm and coconut seedlings initiative to facilitate optimal productivity across the state.

    The beneficiaries, who made the pledge during inspection by Ministry of Agriculture Team, to the monitor the performance of distributed seedlings, thanked the government for giving them the opportunity to create  income through the programme.

    Vice Principal of Community Secondary School, Ajalli, Mr. Ben Madu, explained they recorded successes in their schools by using proper planting techniques, applying organic manure and constant watering.

    He said they were able to plant the seedlings according to specified techniques to ensure their survival despite late arrival last year.

    “We have to continue by applying organic manure and water them on daily basis to ensure that they survive, because we hoped that if they survive now, we will be given more seedlings.

    “We thank God for the state government for having the vision to introduce this project. We are hopeful that this year more seedlings will be distributed and on time”

    Principals of Holy Cross High School, Umuawulu, Mbaukwu, Mrs. Amaka Anekwe and her Community Secondary School, Awgbu, counterpart, Sister Stella Mary Nwafor, pledged to sustain strategies to guarantee the survival of the seedlings.

    They lauded the government for the initiative targeted to move the people of the state from oil to agriculture in revenue generation, expressing optimism of mass coconut production in the state in less than four years.

    Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Foster Ihejiofor reiterated the government’s commitment to continue to strengthen measures aimed at boosting productivity.

    Speaking through his Technical Assistant and Leader of the Inspection Team, Ifeanyi Nwaegbo, the Commissioner appreciated schools, institutions and communities that have recorded feats so far.

    He however noted that more efforts were expected from some of the beneficiaries to ensure survival of the seedlings in view of the huge investments in procuring them.

    “We found out in some areas that what they need to do is to water them constantly, they just have to do that because most of the seedlings are still alive though appeared dry but will all come up again,” he said.

    Describing the outcome of the visits as impressive, the Commissioner specifically commended schools that took ownership of the seedlings by adopting survival intervention measures amidst challenges.

  • UNILORIN VC is West African varsities’ Sec-Gen

    UNILORIN VC is West African varsities’ Sec-Gen

    Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof. Wahab Egbewole, has been elected the Secretary-General of the Association of West African Universities (AWAU).

    In a statement, Mr. Kunle Akogun, the Director of Corporate Affairs, UNILORIN, said the election was one of the major highlights of the eighth Conference and 10th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association hosted by the University of The Gambia, Banjul, recently.

    The statement added that Egbewole was elected  alongside others. They include Prof. Johnson Boampong, the Vice Chancellor, University of the Cape Coast, Ghana, as chairman.

    “Also, Prof. Herbert Robinson, the Vice Chancellor, University of The Gambia, was elected as Vice Chairman; and Prof. Akeem Lasisi, the Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila Orangun, as Financial Secretary.

  • Old boys to Osun govts: help renovate burnt school building

    Old boys to Osun govts: help renovate burnt school building

    A building under renovation at the Adventist Grammar School, Ede, Osun State, has been razed by fire. The renovation was sponsored by the school’s Old Boys Association.

    Though the cause of the fire was unknown,  individuals helped in putting it under control when calls to the state Fire Service, located a few metres away from the school, were not responded to.

    The Nation gathered that the service claimed it had no water and petrol in their fire-fighting vehicle to help put out the fire.

    The affected building was one of those being renovated by the national executive members of the Old Boys led by Alhaji Gbadegesin Lawal to give some buildings in the 63-year old school a face lift.

    An old student of the 65-69 set, Olumide Lawal, noted that over N3.4 million had been spent on the burnt building, mainly out of the donations from good-spirited members of the alumni association at home and in diaspora.

    He appealed to the state government to make the state Fire Service more effective and help the school.

    “This is to call on the Osun State government to make the Fire Service more effective and functional to make it meets its statutory responsibility of providing quality service to the people while nobody prays for such ugly incident.

    “The school’s Old Boys Association enjoins its members not to relent in their efforts at making their alma mater the best that it is among the comity of secondary schools in the state. We also call on the state government to give a helping hand in salvaging the situation at hand,” he said.

  • Stakeholders want teachers, parents’ collaboration in child grooming

    Stakeholders want teachers, parents’ collaboration in child grooming

    The involvement of parents and teachers has become necessary to bridge the communication gap between parents and their wards, Mrs. Chineye Onuorah, founder, Regalo Hope Foundation (RHF), said yesterday.

    Mrs Onuorah made the assertion during a programme organised by the foundation at the Lagos Theatre, Igando, Lagos.

    The programme, tagged: “Bridging the Communication Gap Between Parents, Teachers and their Wards”, which was held to mark the International Day of Education, was attended by over 30 schools.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the International Day of Education, a yearly event marked on January 24, had  as its theme “To Invest in People, Prioritise Education”.

    Mrs Onuorah noted that the idea was to take advantage of the Day to bring the three together, rather than talking to them separately.

    “We realised that we have not been able to tackle the gap since the launch of this campaign in 2017. Hence, we decided to bring in the teachers to this year’s edition.

    “So, what bridging the communication gap between parents, teachers and their wards does is that it brings togetherness among all and creates an enabling environment to tackle issues as the case may be.

    “Most parents do not know what is going in the lives of their children. Teachers cannot communicate with parents effectively and children can’t even talk to their teachers.

    “It is a gap between these three sets of people,” she expressed.

    mRS Onuorah, also the Project Manager of RHF, said the body was tackling the issue through the Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA) and RHF mentoring clubs, which have no fewer than 624 members.

    She noted that the deaf community who participated in the event, was part of the charge given by the UN on the need for inclusive society to address challenges.

     The keynote speaker, Mrs. Alice Aniemeke, urged teachers to adopt an ‘open door policy’ to encourage parents or wards who are introverts to talk.

    Mrs Aniemeke reminded teachers to bring to bear the LAFF measure, which according to her, is part of training they are exposed to.

    “It is one of the most creative ways teachers can communicate with parents.

    “L- listen, emphasis and communicate with respect, A- ask questions and ask for permission to take note, F – focus on issues, F – find the first step to resolve the issues, and don’t cry,” she added.

    The programme, which engaged students in Spelling B and current affairs competitions, also had panel sessions, discussions which provided a platform and opportunity for stakeholders to brainstorm and make recommendations.

    The stakeholders called for effective communication among the parents, teachers and their wards where each set would be free to express themselves and there must be collaboration to sustain the system.

    On the sideline, Mrs. Christy Nosa-Ihaza, a member of the panel, who described the programme as ‘wonderful’, commended the RHF initiative said the topic would bring transformation in the communication channel.

    NAN reports that G & G Quintessential School, Igando, won the Spelling B and Current Affairs contest.

    The Nistech College, Egbeda came second, while Solid Steps International College finished third  and smiled home with gifts.

  • UNICEF pledges to reduce out-of-school children, improve learning

    UNICEF pledges to reduce out-of-school children, improve learning

    THE United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has pledged  support to the Federal and state governments to reduce the number of out-of-school children, improve learning outcomes and increase domestic spending on education.

    UNICEF Nigeria Representative, Ms Cristian Munduate, made the pledge in a statement in Kaduna to commemorate the International Day of Education.

    Munduate stressed the need to invest in education and in children, in line with the theme: “Invest in People, Prioritise Education.”

    She said UNICEF, with partners, would support federal and state governments to reduce the number of out-of-school children by providing safe, secure and violence-free learning environment in formal and non-formal settings.

    Munduate said UNICEF would also support community engagement in education and provide cash to households and schools.

    On improving learning outcomes, the Nigeria representative said UNICEF would support the expansion of access to quality early childhood education and scaling of foundational literacy and numeracy programmes.

    According to her, UNICEF will also support provision of digital life employability skills to adolescents to enable the school-to-work transition.

    Also, Munduate said the fund would support increased domestic spending on education to meet the 20 per cent global benchmark by 2030.

    “This will also help to address the infrastructure and teaching backlog that are affecting children’s access to inclusive and quality education.

    “As Nigeria’s presidential elections draw near, on behalf of UNICEF and the children in Nigeria, I call on all the presidential candidates to include investments in education as a top priority in their manifestos,” she said.

    The UNICEF chief urged Nigeria to deliver on the commitments made by President Muhammadu Buhari at the UN Secretary-General’s Transforming Education Summit, last September to end the global learning crisis.

    She pointed out that in Nigeria, 75 per cent of children between seven and 14 could not read or solve Maths.

    According to her, for children to read, they must learn to read in the first three years of schooling.

    “I commit UNICEF’s support to the government of Nigeria’s commitment to transform education and prevent the loss of hard-fought gains in getting children into school, particularly the poor, rural children and girls.

    “The government should also ensure that they remain in school, complete their education and achieve their potential,” she said.

    NAN reports that the International held every June 24 to campaign for better education reforms and improve access to education.

  • Will CONUA’s appeal get listening ears?

    Will CONUA’s appeal get listening ears?

    Despite the cynicism that trailed its registration, the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has held its maiden National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. ASSISTANT EDITOR Bola Olajuwon reports.

    AT its maiden National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) urged the Federal Government to make education cheap by ensuring an uninterrupted academic calendar in universities.

    It also urged the government to reduce the number of out-of-school children and curb massive unemployment without further delay.

    The group asked the Federal Government to pay the withheld salaries of its members and those of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The breakaway ASUU faction was registered by the Federal Government last October and was presented with a certificate of registration this month.

    CONUA appoints NEC members

    The union approved the nomination of Niyi Sunmonu as its National President and Abdulhameed Salawu as its National Vice President. Sunmonu was the acting chairman of ASUU, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) chapter, and became the pioneer national coordinator of CONUA, when it was founded as a fallout of the crisis that rocked the ASUU branch.

    The CONUA’s NEC members were appointed in the presence of Clement Fatoki, the representative of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige. Members were accredited from 15 Federal and state universities. Eleven universities sent in apologies due to logistics.

    Varsity academics insists on salaries’ payment

    In the communique issued by its President, CONUA said it was not part of the strike by the ASUU and so its members should be paid because they did not refuse to teach. It, however, said ASUU members must be paid their withheld salaries too.

    Sunmonu said: “CONUA has consistently maintained before now that it didn’t declare any strike and by the provision of Section 43 (1B) of the Trade Dispute Act, ‘no work, no pay’ should not affect us.”

    He insisted that CONUA was not established to destabilise ASUU, urging the Federal Government to pay the withheld salaries of its members and those of ASUU.

    CONUA said it was not part of the strike by ASUU and so its members should be paid because they did not refuse to teach.

    It urged the government to tackle accreditation fraud in universities. It also urged the government to tackle accreditation fraud in universities.

    The union advised the Federal Government to make education cheap by ensuring an uninterrupted academic calendar in universities. CONUA urged the government to reduce the number of out-of-school children and curb massive unemployment without further delay.

    ‘We are not ready to destabilise ASUU’

    Its president insisted that CONUA was not established to destabilise ASUU.

    Sunmonu said: “CONUA was founded on strong ideologies that emanated from flagrant disrespect for the constitution. He who comes with equity should do so with clean hands.

    “If you want to tackle or engage the government, you must also not have issues within yourselves.”

    On 2023 election, security

    On the forthcoming general election, CONUA urged the government to MAKE IT ensure transparent, free, fair and credible.

    It said: “Since the country runs a democracy, INEC must ensure that political parties evolve to the point of clear ideologies so that Nigerians can have better choices.

    “CONUA condemns the burning of INEC offices in various parts of the country as this portends a grave threat to our democracy. It also encourages all Nigerians of voting age to participate in the forthcoming election.

    “On security, CONUA applauds the various security agencies for their sustained efforts at curtailing the security threats in the country and encourages them to do more to secure the nation.”

    “CONUA frowns at banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other security threats in the country but strongly encourages the government to reduce the out-of-school children thereby reducing the massive unemployment without further delay.”

    However, before its NEC meeting, many Nigerians had commented that another crisis was brewing in public universities as the Federal Government prepared to pay the withheld salaries and check off dues of CONUA members while leaving out the ASUU members.

    Public university undergraduates will not forget last year in a hurry.  It was the year they spent almost nine months at home because of strikes by the four university-based unions.

    The year was dominated by the strike called by four university-based unions – ASUU; the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU); the Non-Academic Staff Union of Allied and Education Institutions (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT). ASUU was the first to call out its members on strike over the inability of the government to attend to their demands. It withdrew its services last February 14 and was followed by NAAT after many weeks and then SSANU and NASU.

    While SSANU and NASU called off their strike last August, after they reached an agreement with the Federal Government, ASUU remained adamant until the intervention of the National Industrial Court (NIC), which ordered the striking lecturers to go back to their duty posts in October.

    The looming crisis in universities

    Many thought a repeat of last year’s crisis was in the oven as the Federal Government, through the Office of Accountant-General of the Federation, indicated the readiness to pay the backlog of salaries of CONUA members from March to September and part of October, last year. The AGF, in a circular dated January 13, 2023, requested CONUA President, to provide soft copy details of membership of CONUA in universities to enable the office to effect payment of the withheld salaries.

    ASUU, SSANU disappointed with Fed Govt

    ASUU and SSANU expressed disappointment with the Federal Government’s action and described it as a sure recipe for disaster and chaos in the public university system.

    Reacting to the development, the National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, wondered why the government is interested in causing chaos and stoking trouble in the university system.

    Osodeke queried: “The question is: was CONUA in existence according to the law from March up till September 2022? The union did not exist then, and how can the government now say it is recognising it retrospectively? Which check-off dues are they going to pay to them for a period they were yet to be in existence and recognised by law?

    “Also, which work did they do from March till the universities were reopened last October? We are watching and studying the situation.’’

    CONUA deserves to be paid, says NAPTAN

    CONUA has also gotten support from many quarters. The Deputy National President National Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, noted that lecturers under the umbrella of CONUA deserved to be paid since they didn’t join the eight-month industrial action.

    His words: “CONUA enjoys the support of the Federal Government. They did not join the strike.Therefore, they should be entitled to payment. The rank and file of the ASUU is broken by this action. It is also unfortunate that eight months were wasted during the industrial action. It was clear CONUA didn’t join the strike; they were going to the office. ASUU was hell-bent on wasting the time of our children. Nevertheless, CONUA members deserve to be paid. Again, ASUU is not the one to recognise unions in the country; there is a right to free association. I can form another and seek registration from the government. There is freedom of association; it is a fundamental human right. CONUA deserves to be paid because they didn’t join the strike.”

    Students: it doesn’t concern us

    The Coordinator, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, Stephen Tegbe, said: “The issue does not really concern students. Our varsities are working and ASUU is not talking about going on strike. So, whichever way, the Federal Government, ASUU and CONUA leadership are our fathers. They should reach an agreement and whatever they agree upon should not affect us.

    “If the decision of the government is going to affect ASUU, such that they go on another strike, that won’t be welcome by us. Whatever it is, the students must not be affected. Government should be more proactive. There is nothing like CONUA. ASUU is well known by individuals and it is a union that has been standing before now. “So, trying to say you are bringing another union in to factionalise them is a problem. Students are not ready for any problem. We are not ready to go back home; we are not ready for any strike.”

    CONUA promises to do things differently

    Despite the anxiety that followed its creation, CONUA has promised to do things differently in resolving the imbroglio rocking the universities, particularly recurring strikes. Sunmonu emphasised the need to democratise the universities, saying this was what the academics should be after, adding that they must look at issues from differently. Sunmonu said there should not be a fixed perspective on issues, noting that it should not be a thing of “only this way or the highway”.

    Sunmonu, while speaking on a media programme, said the use of strikes to press home demands in the country had been on for well over 40 years, saying: “In that period of 40 years, we’ve had different kinds of governments, the military dictators, the democracy that we all enjoy; we’ve had one response and that response put pen to paper on an agreement and reneged on the agreement later.

    “We are of the opinion that these agreements, to us, are actually done under duress; where you have the situation in which the other party which is the government that you’re actually discussing with, comes to a meeting with a relaxed mind that once they have an agreement that is workable; when they put pen to paper to sign, they would honour that.”

    To start with, it has been agitating that ASUU members must also be paid their withheld salaries to bring peace to the campuses. How far CONUA will go with its appeals and whether ASUU will accept the olive branch, yet to be seen.

    For now, in line with the constitution, anyone can join a group that one likes. And CONUA members have done that.