As part of its Youth Month, Rotary Club of Agege has sensitised pupils of three schools on good behaviour.

The 60 pupils were drawn from Government Senior College, Agege; Girls Senior High School, Agege and State Senior High School, Oyewole.

President of the club, Biodun Bello, said the event entitled: “The youth perception in the trend of life in this era’’ was aimed at teaching them the way to go in life. He said the phase they are in, they are prone to the vagaries of life, but that only good training such as the one the seminar would give would assist them to navigate through.

The guest speaker, Mrs. Wunmi Oyewole, a past assistant governor, District 9110, Rotary International, advised the pupils to keep good company, but avoid those who would put them in trouble. She said: “Be careful with your friends. They can kill or hurt you. What you are not expected to do, don’t do it. You may not be enjoying your parents and guardians but listen to their advice. If you have anything bothering you, talk to them. Above all, behave yourself.”

Warning parents against meddling in the affairs of their children, especially when they are making career choices, she sought the understanding of the pupils, noting too that parents have their faults.

She said many youths have lost their bearings in life because they either refused to heed the advice of their parents, teachers, guardians and counsellors or misbehaved.

Mrs.  Oyewole said life’s journey has many steps which take one step at a time. “If you jump some steps, you will be forced to go back and restart. If you do what is not right, it may affect you in future.’’

She also said life is full of trials and temptations. “Expect the potholes of life. There are times you may have setbacks and may be asked to repeat. Don’t feel shy. Remember you have one life to live. Set a goal for yourself,’’ she added.

Quoting a report, she said more girls than boys are into drugs. She, therefore, warned the pupils against drug abuse, which has destroyed many lives, saying: “Use your life to the glory of God.’’

She said the pupils should embrace youth empowerment as it would bring out the creativity in them and help them be on their own in the future should they opt for self-employment.

Dr. Bukola Sanwo of the Education District 1 urged the pupils to take their studies seriously.

“Be determined. Be focused.  Work hard. Ask yourself where you will be in 10 years,’’ she said.

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has stressed the need for the Open Educational Resources Policy (OER) to fit into the Nigerian Universities System (NUS) for greater efficiency, resourcefulness and competitiveness.

Its Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, stated this in Abuja at a High-Level Sensitisation Workshop on Mainstreaming OER in Higher Education in Nigeria.

The workshop was in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Vancouver, Canada and the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

Rasheed, who was represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary, Mr. Chris Maiyaki, said the workshop was aimed at mainstreaming OER and ensuring its implementation for higher education in the country.

According to him, the commission championed the development of an OER policy in 2017, was presented at  the global community at the second World OER Congress in Ljubljana in September 2017 and was approved for implementation.

He said: “That is the essence of this workshop; to escalate the issue of OER. We do not want to lag behind as a university system.

“The other universities, having established the ODL centres, have been mobilised and sensitised to do so because when you do that, you are able to join the league of universities with ODL centres.

“All we need to do is to ensure that the policy is fit for purpose, the ecosystem is well established and the quality assurance framework is one that we will be assured of the content and integrity of delivering through the ODL model.

“We hope to mainstream so that there is no plagiarism because we sometimes have to pay attention to the content of what we are receiving into the university system. But, we will put in place those measures that will stem the irregularities or illegality that will arise from this process.”

Rasheed said due to the difficulties to access materials by students and teachers, there was the need for openly licensed materials.

He said Nigeria as part of its policy of expanding and broadening access learning resources had chosen to collaborate with the Commonwealth of Learning and NOUN to augment what was known as the normal statutory provision through the library system.

He said this would enable the universities to catch up with their counterparts in the world so that the universities could be exposed to one of the best repositories on open resources that they would tap in and augment their learning resources.

He, therefore, said the workshop would help boost the skills and capacities of university leaders and academic practitioners on the use, adoption and reuse of open educational resources in their various institutions.

Rasheed said: “The workshop is all encompassing, as it will take the participants through the rudiments of the concept and move into the technological aspect within the ecosystem.

“And also deal with the management and administration and policy driver for effective and efficient domestication of OER in our learning experiences.”

Vice-Chancellor, Commonwealth of Learning, Dr. Venkataraman Balaji, said Nigeria had gained advantage in the area of OER compared to other Commonwealth nations.

Balaji said OER became important during the lockdown as people, who could not get textbooks to be delivered to them, were able to continue learning through the OER through access to phones.

He said: “Nigeria is blessed with excellent human resources, if the right political will is there, it will spur the country to do a greater deal among other countries.

“COL as a member country-driven organisation will continue to work with the government of Nigeria to promote policies that benefit OER.

“Nigeria has excellent policies, excellent human resources, excellent capacities. The best policies, human resources and capacities you have can easily be put together and with the political will, Nigerian education will do well not only in the continental but also the Commonwealth as a whole.

“Nigeria has been leading in the Commonwealth states though having challenges, but these did not stop her from reclaiming her position as the top three in the commonwealth countries.

“Nigeria has been pushing for policy of OER and only a university publishing over 2000 textbooks in the open area. You can say that funding is limited but if a little funding is available you can imagine the kind of leadership you will acquire.”

Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna has argued that vocational and technical education has been neglected.

Haruna, who is also an engineer, however, said technical and vocational education sector must get the government’s  attention if Nigeria must attain technological growth.

The NASENI boss stated this in Kaduna while inaugurating a lecture theatre named after him by the Kaduna Polytechnic Management at the College of Business and Management Studies Campus of the Institution.

He lamented that many of the technical and craft schools that existed before have been wiped out, a situation, which, he noted, was not healthy for a nation striving to develop technologically.

According to him, “As for technical and vocational education, this is a neglected sector. Many of the technical and craft schools that existed before have been wiped out and until we restore them, we will not have foundation.

“It is not everybody that needs to go to university. You need these technical education, you need skills to be able to do things and theory without practical cannot take us to the promised land.”

Haruna added that the level of research and development activities in Nigeria were just commencing because the Buhari’s administration has paid due attention to the development of science technology sector by putting more funds in infrastructure and training capacity to enable qualified experts to do researches.

He said the Buhari administration has given more funding and also created so many research funding windows from CBN, Ecological fund and TETFund among others.

He thanked the management of the polytechnic for finding him worthy of the recognition by naming the Lecture Theatre after him.

National President of Alumni Association of Kaduna Polytechnic Abba Anas Adamu said it was the first time the institution celebrated one of its alumni, saying Haruna’s contribution in Science Education field led to his recognition.

He also added that the celebrator deserved the recognition for his contribution to the growth of the alumni and the institution.

It is imperative for government to invest in tech education for youths and revise the curriculum from primary to tertiary level to enhance new skills needed for digital transformation, immediate past Chairman of Seplat Energy Plc,  Dr Ambrose Brian Orjiako, has said.

He  was the guest speaker at the 3rd  Arthur Mbanefo Lecture Series  last week at the Arthur Mbanefo Digital Research Centre (AMDRC), University of Lagos (UNILAG).

The lecture series, which began on June 11, 2020, is aimed at immortalising Chief Arthur Mbanefo, a diplomat who bequeathed a digital research centre to UNILAG in 2020.

In his lecture entitled: “Global digital transformation and the Nigerian paradox”, Orjiako stressed the need to retool youths and make them employable.

He said: “It is imperative to retool our youths and make them employable. We must invest in tech education for youths. We must rethink and revise the curriculum across all tiers of education from primary to tertiary to address the new skills required in digital transformation.”

Orjiako noted that to drive digital transformation, schools should partner Microsoft, Google and ‘Yabacon Valley'(Nigeria’s equivalent of Silicon Valley based in Yaba).

Vice Chancellor, Prof. Toyin Ogundipe, who was represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lucian Obinna Chukwu, said the university and Bank of Industry (BOI) donated computers, microphones and chairs to improve the AMDRC.

He also said Orjiako donated N5 million to the research centre.

The VC, who described Mbanefo as a ‘shining example worthy of emulation’, noted  that the university would continue to utilise the centre very well.

He said: “This is an opportunity to celebrate our benefactor, Mbanefo. He is a shining example worthy of emulation.  He bequeathed the centre to us  on June 11, 2020.  We have provided computers for the centre just as the Bank of Industry  donated desktop computers, microphones and chairs to improve the ambience of the centre.

“The university would continue to improve it.”

Mbanefo chided the Federal Government for seemingly being uninterested in education.

Chairman Board of Directors, Citibank, Dr. Yemi Cardoso, who was chairman of the occasion, said the centre would expand the frontiers of higher education.

He hailed Mbanefo as a bridge-builder and outstanding Nigerian.

The management of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso has refuted claims that one of its lecturer, Adewale Olasumboye, was stranded in United States (U.S.) over failure of the institution to release his N26 million Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) grant.

The institution said it was surprising that the said lecturer put the issue in media, having sued the university on his refusal to resume duty after the expiration of his study leave with pay under TETFund.

A statement by LAUTECH Public Relations Officer, Lekan Fadeyi, said the institution would have ignored the publication, but had to respond to the members of the public, who have been seeking clarification on the matter.

The statement reads: “The attention of Management of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, has been drawn to a publication titled: “Lecturer stranded in the U.S. as LAUTECH fails to release his N26 million Tetfund grant,” in a blog.

“Since Olasumboye is aware that the case is still pending in court, which came up yesterday June 6, 2022 and has been adjourned to July 7, 2022, at the National Industrial Court, Ibadan, we did not expect him to rush to the press on the matter, except that he is jittery and no longer believes in himself and the judicial process.”

Fadeyi noted that the university was not ready to join issues with Olasumboye in the public so as not to be charged for contempt, adding that most of what Olasumboye published in the online news was half-truth that amounted to blackmail, which the university would not succumb to.

The institution wondered why Olasumboye was not patient enough to await court judgment on the matter, being the first person to approach the court.

“May be, he needs to be reminded that he signed a bond with the university on his study leave with pay which he is bound to fulfill.”

LAUTECH spokesperson said the university would not succumb to any form of blackmail or yellow journalism, as the school would insist that Olasumboye should comply with all terms and conditions guiding the study leave with pay granted him.

“It may also interest Olasumboye and the online blog he used to know that the university has taken note of his current action, which amounts to contempt of court and sub judice, and will report this development to the university legal retainer, who is handling the case for his further action as may be appropriate.”

Lagos State Commissioner for Education Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo has reiterated the commitment of the state government towards providing a conducive environment for learning by formulating sound policies.

She spoke at  a seminar organised by Victory College Old Students Association on Tuesday to honour the deceased founder/proprietor of the school, Dr Christian Francis Ipoola Olaniyan,who died on April 4,2022.

The seminar, which  had as theme: “The sector contribution to educational development in Nigeria,” took place in the school hall at Onigbagbo, Ikeja, Lagos.

” As a responsible government, we will leave no stone unturned in providing the enabling environment through the formulation of policies and regulations to make the sector more conducive for learning and to improve the society.

“What the education sector is faced with is unprecedented, but it is clear that the transformation of that sector is necessary and it is our collective responsibility to realise a better future for our children,” she said.

The commissioner, who stated that government alone could not address all societal problems, sought the support of private school owners and other stakeholders to make the education sector better  and create a better future for pupils.

Adefisayo said the state government was doubling its efforts in creating more schools, hence the newly-constructed solar-powered  containerised Vetland Junior Grammar School, Ifako-Ijaiye, Agege,Lagos.

Meanwhile, experts at the seminar stressed the need to deepen private sector participation in developing education in the country.

According to them, without efforts of private establishments, majority of Nigerians would be illiterates.

Discussants at the seminar included former President of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools(NAPPS), Alhaji Mohammed Tairu Amusa; former director of the Lagos State Civil Service, Mrs. Ajoke Gbeleyi and the Director-General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Abiola Seriki-Ayeni; who was represented by Dr. Adeyemi Omobiowo,among others.

According to them, private institutions have a significant role to positively impact education, adding that without their input, the country would not have achieved much in the sector.

Principal of Victory College, Mr. Jolayemi Odedele, described the late Olaniyan as ‘a prodigy in education’ and an educationist, who touched humanity.

Two students of the University of Ilorin have won the prestigious awards of the International Centre for Biotechnology under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

According to the University of Ilorin Bulletin, the students were awarded the scholarship for having good academic records in the organisation’s educational peer review.

It stated that the duo, Mr. Samson Oyebamiji of the Department of Microbiology and Mr. Sodiq Alasi of the Department of Food Engineering, won the award of UNESCO ICB MSc. Scholarship and UNESCO ICB Final Year undergraduate scholarship.

The university publication added that a letter, by the Chairman, Scholarships Award Committee, Prof. Umezuruike Opara, commended the students for applying for the MSc. Scholarship of the UNESCO International Centre for Biotechnology (UNESCO ICB).

He said this was based on the criteria advertised, including course of study related to Biotechnology /BioSciences and good academic records, the Scholarships Awards Committee (SAC) reviewed all applications submitted.

“Congratulations, it is our pleasure to award the UNESCO ICB MSc. Scholarships to you, Mr. Samson Oyebamiji of the Department of Microbiology, University of Ilorin, for N1,014,914.67 and the Final Year Undergraduate Scholarships to you, Mr. Sodiq Alasi of the Department of Food Engineering, University of Ilorin, for N500,000.00.

“This award is to support your tuition fee, accommodation, books and living expenses during your MSc. and undergraduate studies at the university,” he said.

The Director for the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (CEsPESS), Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Prof. Gloria Chukwudebe, has said one of the key success factors for economic growth of any country is an efficient procurement system.

At the inauguration/unveiling of the centre’s project and opening of Track A Executive training workshop on Sustainable Procurement at the Institute of Women, Gender and Development Studies in Owerri, Prof. Chukwudebe said that failure of many countries was traceable to faulty procurement system.

She said once a country gets its procurement system right, there would be no fail projects, abandoned projects, refinery not working, potholes on the roads and destruction of the environment.

“This is what distinguishes our country from all other advanced countries. Once we learn to get procurement right ,pot-holes will disappear from our roads because a well procured road with adequate drainage and sidewalks will last a minimum of 15 years.

“All this has to do with procurement system. Once you get it right, no more potholes on our roads because the engineers, lawyers and all that are involved in the ministries for processing procurement will get it right,” Chukwudebe explained.

She added: “It also impacts on services because our hospital system, everything that is public sector, people will no longer do things directly, they will advertise it as a contract. So, it has to do with improving the contracting system. And this time around, one of the things that makes it spectacular is that we are packaging together procurement, environment and social development because any time you  are doing a project, whether you are building a road, transportation system or turbine, it impacts on the environment and social life of the people.”

She also disclosed that the university has just approved a four-year programme on Procurement Management, Sustainable Environmental Standard and Sustainable Social Development beginning from next year.

Earlier, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) Prof. Nnenna Oti promised that those selected for the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Procurement ,Environmental and Social Standards (CEsPESS) training from the school will exceed the programme’s objectives.

The VC, who gave the assurance while inaugurating/unveiling the workshop at the school premises, noted that with the strong academic and administrative base of the institution, which, she added, have made FUTO achieve full accreditation in almost all its academic programmes, it is possible.

She explained that FUTO has launched and commenced series of the executive training workshops in the three areas of Procurement Management ,Environmental and Social Standards since February 2022.

Hundreds of students stormed the streets of Ilorin on Sunday in appreciation of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s education sector reforms and investments.

The rally held under the aegis of AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Students’ Support Group (AASSG) was led by Comrade Salami Wasiu Onidugbe.

The students said the Governor’s efforts in the education sector, including reviving the Colleges of Education, payment of counterpart funds, infrastructural renewals, and recruitment of competent teachers, have earned him their support in his bid to run for another term.

Onidugbe said the achievements of the administration over the last three years have been unique and commendable.

“We are here today to show the Governor that we are ready to support his re-election bid come 2023 general elections. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq deserves to be re-elected because he has positively transformed many sectors especially education sector,” Onidugbe said.

“One good turn deserves another. We organised this rally to tell the entire Kwarans that Governor AbdulRazaq has performed well, hence he deserves a fresh mandate,” he stressed.

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Onidugbe said the group would also organise a voters’ education programme to encourage the youth to participate actively in the electoral exercise.

The Governor described the solidarity rally as a morale booster for the government to do more in delivery of dividends of democracy.

The administration’s interventions in infrastructural development, especially in education, healthcare, water, road and other social amenities, form part of his campaign promise in 2019, AbdulRazaq said.

“What you have done today encourages us to do more for students and youth. We will continue to invest in critical infrastructure that will guarantee good welfare of the entire citizens,” he added.

AbdulRazaq enjoined the students to ensure that they get their PVC to exercise their franchise at the polls, urging them to take their studies seriously.

“I encourage you to take your studies very seriously because that is what brightens your chances in life. I also advise you to get your PVC now so that you will have power to vote for right candidates at the 2023 polls,” he said.

The Governor received the students in their hundreds at the Government House Ilorin alongside a few government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government Prof. Mamman Saba Jibril; Commissioner for Communications Olabode Towoju; and the State APC Youth Leader Lawal Sulaimon Duduyemi.