Category: Education

In commemoration of this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD), with the theme; ‘Break the Bias’,  Lonadek Global Services, through its Vital Voices Global Mentoring Walk, embarked on helping young women navigate their dreams in a male-dominated industry.

Lonadek, in partnership with the African Women Entrepreneurship Programme (AWEP), APWEN, Oracle and WIMBIZ, WeConnect, among others, walked round the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) campus to sensitise students and recruit them for the mentoring programme.

Principal consultant, Lonadek Global Service, Dr. Ibilola Amao said the young women would be connected with captains of industry, which can help them land their first jobs.

“The whole idea is to get each girl to have a mentor who is a captain of industry or leader who can help them get their first job. We mentor them on different fields of life, ranging from engineering, education, business, entrepreneurship, human resources, writing and lot more.”

Amao said one of the major problems young girls trying to get into male-dominated industries face is compromise. By paring them with older women, she said they could escape compromising situations.

“The aim is to pair young girls with older women who have gone through the bias in their careers, professional lives, business lives and can help them navigate the process of becoming leaders themselves and giving them support they need to be able to break into male dominated sector,” she said.

Mrs. Monsurah Alagbe, a civil/’structural engineer, said the IWD theme connotes breaking out from whatever limit the society has placed one, because, “once someone can dream it, he can have it”.

Mrs. Bekere Amassoma, one of the mentors said that the programme was result-oriented as it enables women become economically and socially unique.

“With the knowledge we have been able to share with them, from our own experiences,  I am sure that these girls will be adequately equipped to live better economic life. We talk to them about things, like, work life balance.

“We talked about peer pressure, some issues they’re facing and we are able to proffer solution to some of their challenges. I strongly believe that with the knowledge that we, the mentors have shared with these ladies,  I am sure they will be able to do better in life.”

 

Rectors of Federal Polytechnics have demanded for the creation of the Ministry of Technical and Vocational Education to drive skills training for the development of entrepreneurship and TVET sector for sustainable national development.

The Rectors made the call at the end of a workshop for Chairmen and Principal Officers of Federal Polytechnics organised by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in collaboration with the Committee of Federal Polytechnic Rectors.

The rectors, who lamented the effect of embargo on recruitment of quality staff to man TVET institutions, called on the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to consider the issuance of waiver for replacement of staff to salvage the system from imminent collapse.

In a communique signed by its Chairman, Dr. Baba David Danjuma and Secretary, Lawal Hafiz, the Rectors noted the inadequacy in the funding of polytechnic education in Nigeria.

They suggested allocation of at least 20 per cent of the national budget for the funding of education, adding that 50 per cent of the education budget should go to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to fund research and development in the Polytechnics.

The rectors appealed for the immediate release of the N15 billion approved by President Muhammadu Buhari as part of the revitalisation fund for public polytechnics.

They also noted with concern, the conversion of Polytechnics to Universities which they said was exacerbating the existing skill gaps in the nation.

The rectors therefore called on the Federal and State Governments to halt the trend.

 

Consul-General of the United States Mission to Nigeria, Claire Pierangelo, has urged alumni of the Fulbright programme to pursue policies that would promote, education, youth empowerment and gender equality.

She spoke while hosting U.S. and Nigerian Fulbright scholars at her residence in Ikoyi as part of events to mark the 70th anniversary of the Fulbright programme.

“I encourage you to advocate for and develop good policies and push for their implementation across Nigerian institutions in the area of education, youth empowerment, prevention of sexual harassment and substance abuse,” she said.

Pierangelo said the Fulbright programme had offered participants priceless opportunities to build connections between the U.S. and Nigeria, and use what they learn to address challenges in local communities across Nigeria.

Commending the Fulbright Alumni Association in Nigeria for its outstanding performance in organising activities that have strengthened the U.S.-Nigeria bilateral relationship, she urged its members to continue to give back to their communities through robust alumni activities.

In her remarks, President of the Fulbright Alumni Association in Nigeria, Dr. Adele Garkida, applauded the U.S. Mission for its support and commitment to providing educational and cultural exchange opportunities for university faculty.

“We will continue to focus on mentoring prospective scholars and increase the number of awardees that will give back to society,” she said.

Many of the alumni told The Nation that the programme provided a platform for networking which was key to their career progress.

A soil scientist from Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Christogunus Daudu who was a senior Fulbright Scholar to the University of Lincoln in Nebraska in 2017, said: “Apart from personal capacity building, you are exposed to networking and other opportunities which we have leveraged to address issue of small holder agricultural productivity.”

 

 

Vice Chancellor of Bowen University, Iwo, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, said he got to learn from other cultures and access great resources.

“First thing it gives is networking across the globe.  It makes you respect other people’s cultures.  It gives you an opportunity to draw from enormous human resources,” he said.

The alumni networking event culminated a week of activities to mark the anniversary.  Others were: youth dialogue on employment hosted at the Abeokuta American Space, an academic writing workshop for doctoral candidates from universities in Ogun State, a career mentoring session, and environmental conservation.

Established by the U.S. Congress in 1946 under legislation introduced by then-Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, the Fulbright programme is the flagship international educational exchange programme sponsored by the U.S. government to give participants the opportunity to conduct research,  exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared global challenges.

Since 1960, there have been over 1,200 Fulbright scholars throughout Nigeria, many of whom currently occupy leadership positions in government as well as public, private and international institutions.

 

The Governing Council of the First Technical University, Ibadan has appointed Prof. Adesola Ajayi to succeed the pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayobami Salami.

A statement by the Pro-Tem Council Chairman, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, noted that the appointment follows the Council’s consideration of the recommendation of the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board at its Special Meeting on Monday. The appointment, for a single term of five years will take effect from May 9.

Ajayi came tops after a rigorous exercise in accordance with the university’s establishment laws.

The vacancy for the position was announced in daily newspapers on December 6, 2021 and out of 14 professors that applied for the position, eight were shortlisted and invited for interaction with the Joint Council-Senate Selection Board which met on March 2 and 3, 2022.

Ajayi, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the university, is a Professor of Crop Science. He obtained B.Agric. in Plant Science (First Class Honours) with the best overall result in the Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 1991.

He also obtained from the same University the M.Phil. (Plant Science) degree with specialisation in Plant Breeding/Seed Production in 1997. He bagged the Doctor of Agricultural Science (Dr. sc. agr.) in Seed Biology from Christian Albrecht University, Kiel, Germany in 2003.

Ajayi has won several scholarships, fellowships, honours and awards among which are Climate Impacts Research Capacity and Leadership Enhancement Programme (CIRCLE) Champion Award by CIRCLE Visiting Fellows (CVF), 2021; Green Award by the National Association of Agricultural Students (NAAS, OAU, Ile-Ife) as the most-liked lecturer in the Department of Crop Production and Protection, OAU, Ile-Ife (2017); DAAD Re-Invitation Fellowship (2007); Vavilov-Frankel Fellowship, IPGRI (2002); Professor Werner Schulze Fellowship for young Agricultural Scientists,  Federal Agricultural Research Centre, Braunschweig, Germany (2000); DAAD Scholarship for doctoral studies in Germany (1999); Dr. Sunday Aribisala scholarship for the best MSc Agricultural graduate from Nigerian Universities recommended for a PhD Programme, IITA (1998); Ebony Award for being the student with the highest Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) in the Faculty of Agriculture (1990) and Obafemi Awolowo University Scholarship for Outstanding students  (1989).

Ajayi was appointed as Graduate Assistant at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on December 15, 1993 and promoted to the rank of Professor on October 1, 2010. He was Visiting Scholar at Pioneer Hi-bred International,  Pandorf, Austria (2000-2002); Postdoctoral Fellow at Cell Biology Research Unit, University of Natal, Durban, South Africa (2003-2005). He has also been Visiting Scholar at Goethe University, Frankfurt, am Main, Germany (2013); Seed Conservation Department,  Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK (2003); Maize Improvement Program, IITA, Ibadan (2011); and Agricultural Productivity Director, Winrock International/USAID-Nigeria Bridge to MARKETS II Project (2011).

 

A total of 232 stakeholders from various education associations discussed issues affecting schools during a preliminary meeting on the 2022/2023 unified academic calendar for public and private schools in Lagos.

The meeting, organised by the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), Ministry of Education held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja.

Director-General, OEQA, Mrs. Abiola Seriki-Ayeni said the importance of a Unified Academic Calendar could not be over-emphasised as it gives the assurance that pupils spend productive instructional days in school and also serves as a pre-emptive measure in planning for unforeseen events and circumstances.

She said the meeting was organised to give room for more stakeholders’ input and gather real-time data and feedback on how to meet learners’ needs.

Earlier, the Head of Department, Planning Research and Statistics (PRS), Mr. Remi Abdul, said the modality for the stakeholder’s meeting for the academic calendar changed because there was need for input from more stakeholders to avoid any disagreement.

He added that planning was key to the delivery of quality and sustainable education in Lagos State.

 

The Vice Chancellor, Kola Daisi University, Ibadan (KDUI), Prof. Adeniyi Olatunbosun, has called on churches and mosques and other faith-based organisations to mount enlightenment programmes against youths’ involvement in ritual killing and other vices.

In an interview, Olatunbosun said: “All we need to do is keep on having public enlightenment programmes.

“But I believe that we need to do more. Our churches, the mosques and other faith-based institutions should be able to put out more forms of public awareness and sermons, campaigns, lectures and programmes to let our youths know that they cannot gain from criminal processes.”

The Vice Chancellor attributed the loss of good morals and values to indiscipline and poor upbringing.

“In our society now, most of our youths have failed to imbibe the culture of good behaviour or good conduct. Many of our youths want the shortcut to success. Many of them are not ready to work hard. All they want to do is make money at all costs.

“We have lost value because, at the secondary and primary school levels, discipline has been eroded. Many schools are not instilling discipline in their students either because of the right to privacy, human rights and some other forms of treatment. Parents also do not subscribe to teachers disciplining their children. So, it is a form of accumulated erosion of our values leading to the desecration of society,” he said.

 

 

Dansol High School, Ikeja, has emerged victorious among six other secondary schools at a debate organised by the Nigeria-Britain Association (N-BA) in honour of Pa Akintola Williams, the Patron of the association.

The Fan Milk Plc-sponsored contest, which held at the British Council, in partnership with Scib Nigeria and Company, NEM Insurance Plc, and the British Council, saw pupils of Corona Schools, Vivian Fowler Memorial School, Supreme Education Foundation School, Avi-Cenna International School, Dansol College, Meadow Hall Education and Edgewood College, try to outdo one another in a Westminster-style debate.

The debates, which had preliminary four rounds and a final round that produced the winner, featured topics such as ‘Human capital is a more worthwhile government investment than artificial intelligence’, ‘The Nigerian economy would benefit more from a wider tax net than increasing exports’, ‘Parents should be held more accountable than school administrators for bullying’ and ‘Compulsory vaccination is a recipe for global safety’.

Oluwatomisin Coker of Dansol High School was named the overall best speaker in the debate.

The immediate past President of the N-BA, Mr. Shola Tinubu, said in his speech that Chief Williams was very passionate about the event.

N-BA President, Abimbola Okoya, who addressed attendants remotely, spoke about the objectives and strategy of the N-BA and commended the efforts of the debaters whom she described as winners.

“We have a passion for education and the empowerment of the next generation of leaders. This event is an abridged version in honour of our Patron, Pa Akintola Williams to celebrate his 102nd birthday, which he marked last year. This is very important for us at the N-BA because the empowerment of the next generation is one of our core values and also a key element of the Big I.D.E.A, which encapsulates ‘Inclusivity,’ ‘Diversity,’ ‘Empowerment’ of the youth, women and the vulnerable in our society as well as ‘Agility,’’’ she said.

Appreciating the invitation extended to the Lagos State Ministry of Education and Government, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr Abayomi Abolaji, who represented the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu, said that the initiative aligns with the various developmental projects embarked by the Lagos State government in the educational sector.

“In Lagos State, we take pride in education. An event like this is well appreciated by the State as it is one of the many ways of showcasing the progress made in the education of our youths. Lagos State hosted the first national presidential debate, which had 13 states in attendance. The State Government has commissioned 1,449 projects across the state and boasts of several interventions, including infrastructure development, curriculum development, and teachers training,” he remarked.

Abolaji urged the organisers to invite public schools in the State to future editions of the debate.

Present at the occasion were the Patron of the N-BA, Chief Akintola Williams; Vice Patron, N-BA, Chief Olabintan Famutimi; representative of the Governor of Lagos State and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr Abayomi Abolaji; representative of the Lagos State Deputy Governor and Director of Special Duties, Mr Adeyemi Adebayo; and Director of Co-curricular Services, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs Sosanya Olubunmi.

 

Chancellor, Southwestern University, Okun Owa, Ogun State, Babatunde Odufuwa, has called on graduating students to embrace innovation and skills in technology to stand out.

Odufuwa spoke during the second convocation of the university held at the main campus of the institution, Okun Owa, Odogbolu Local Government Area of the state.

A total of 250 students were conferred with Bachelor degrees from the Faculty of Social and Management Science and Faculty of Pure and Applied Science for the 2020/2021 academic session.

The Chancellor said: “In this modern era, knowledge, Technology and improvements continue to accelerate, definitely this is the time to be Technology wise to contribute your quota to the development of our country, Nigeria.

“The capacity for countries to adopt, disseminate, and maximize rapid technological advances is dependent on adequate systems of tertiary education. Improved and accessible tertiary education and effective national innovation systems can help a developing country progress toward sustainable achievements in the Millennium Development Goals, particularly those goals related to all levels of education, health, and gender equity.’’

He expressed the institution’s commitment to excellence in teaching, learning and research as well as developing leaders in many disciplines to stand out globally.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Odesanya, charged graduands to be agents of impact to the society.

Odesanya said the university would continue to pursue the path of excellence with passion and spirituality.

He noted that academic programmes of the institution were fully accredited by the National Universities Commission, adding : “Plans are underway to establish new faculty and programmes in the school to promote learning.”

In his convocation lecture, the Head, Department of Accounting, University of Benin and Chairman, Governing Council of the institution, Prof. Famous Izedonmi, said there was nothing a nation could do to spur growth and development without education.

Izedonmi said: “Education is a weapon for meaningful change, revolution and orientation. The level of development in most developing nations and countries of the world is largely attributed to education; hence, educating the masses should be the paramount concern of those in leadership.”

He, however, urged the students and graduands to do their best to achieve excellence in all their endeavours and invest in knowledge to have an edge.

At the convocation, an eminent personality, Alhaji Balogun Idowu, was conferred with Doctor of Science degree Honoris Causa in Business Administration for his contributions to higher education.

 

As the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) marks its 70th anniversry next week, the Council will be holding lectures and awards in Abuja as Nigeria hosts other member states during the Council meeting in Abuja.

Head of WAEC Nigeria National Office, Mr. Patrick Areghan said at a that the programme holding March 14-18  would feature the 27th Endowment Fund lecture by Prof. Ngozi Osarenren.

Osarenren of the Educational Foundation Department, University of Lagos would speak on the topic: “Assessing the Assessor: Looking back and looking forward” at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

The lecture will be followed by the opening ceremony by President Muhammadu Buhari during which the best candidates and schools in last year’s West African senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) would be rewarded.

“During the formal opening ceremony, awards will be presented to the winners of the International Excellence and National Distinction awards.  The Omo N-oba Erediauwa coronation awards will be presented to the best male and best female candidates while the Augustus Bandele Oyediran trophy award will be presented to the school with the best aggregate result in WASSCE for school candidates 2021.

“During the ceremony, we shall witness the conferment of the prestigious award     distinguished friend of council on two eminent Nigerian personalities. Aslo the investiture of the vice chairman of Council will take place during the opening ceremony,” he said.

Speaking on the significance of the 70th Anniversary, Areghan said Nigeria had played a significant role in the Council’s development, saying: “The success of WAEC is hinged on the support it garners from the government of the five member countries, most especially the Nigeria national office, which holds a lot for the impressive score card that it flaunts in the comity of Educational Assessment Institutions. WAEC owes a lot of gratitude to the governemnts and good people of its member nations.”

 

As the Edo State government expands the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST) to Junior Secondary Schools across the state, teachers are being trained to scale the impact of the initiative. BISI OLANIYI reports.

Last year, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki announced that the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST) initiative that revolutionised education service delivery in public primary schools would be extended to junior secondary schools (JSS) effectively covering the first nine years of basic education.

Obaseki said the initiative, launched in 2018 to create an enabling environment for pupils’ learning and development, had recorded gains in three thematic areas of access, quality and system strengthening. He described it as one of his administration’s greatest successes.

“As far as we are concerned in the state, the EdoBEST programme is one of our greatest achievements. We are very happy that EdoBEST has gained global and local recognitions.

“We want to replicate the successes and achievements we have made in EdoBEST 1.0 to EdoBEST 2.0, which is meant to capture our secondary schools and higher institutions in our dear state. We have made progress, but we are not where we want to be yet. We need to accelerate.

“Edo kids are now learning better. We want to extend this education transformation throughout the educational chain, basic education system, middle school, technical colleges and tertiary institutions. The tertiary institutions are going to focus on production of certain kinds of manpower, particularly in agriculture, healthcare and technology.”

A 10-day Information Communication Technology training for junior secondary school teachers began in earnest on February 27 across the 18 Local Government Areas (LGA) of the state to upgrade their skills in readiness to use the EdoBEST tablets to deliver standardised curriculum in their classrooms.

Mrs. Joy Esekheigbe of Annunciation Catholic College (ACC) Irrua in Esan Central LGA, said she had been teaching for nine years before EdoBest. She described the training held at the New Era Girls’ College, Upper Mission Road, Benin city, as beneficial, inspiring and educative.

For Augustine Arekpita of Enwan Mixed Secondary School, Enwan in Akoko-Edo LGA of Edo, the training was timely and would ensure more effective teaching and learning, while the Vice-Principal of Ikpeshi Grammar School, Ikpeshi in Akoko-Edo Council, Joseph Imobighe, described the exposure to technology as innovative.

Chairman, Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (Edo SUBEB), Mrs. Ozavize Salami said EdoBEST 2.0 as the extension is called would be broader, with more beneficiaries, and would aim at covering all secondary schools and tertiary institutions in the state.

She said to this end, the state would employ more teachers and improve school infrastructure.

Salami said: “We are training and recruiting new teachers, as well as giving priority to infrastructural development, in view of the rot over the years.

“Education is still free in Edo State, with most parents and guardians now preferring to send their children and wards to public primary and secondary schools.

“Security is also being taken seriously and beefed up in Edo’s public schools, in collaboration with security agencies, so as not to expose the pupils to danger and activities of criminals.

“Special education for the physically-challenged pupils/students has a desk at Edo SUBEB. Seventy teachers were recently employed for primary schools with special needs, while 60 tutors were engaged for secondary schools for the same purpose.”

With EdoBEST, Salami said it had become  necessary to monitor teachers’ attendance.

She added that it aims to deliver far-reaching positive changes in learning impact, with a key ingredient of the initiative being teachers’ growth and development.

Teachers and other SUBEB officials have lauded the initiative for its impact.

Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Edo Wing, Bernard Ajobiewe said teachers enjoy teaching with EdoBEST.

“Teachers have gone digital with lesson plans, and no longer have to bother about lesson notes,” he said.

Edo President, All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Vincent Odeh, said ANCOPSS was satisfied with the progress made so far by Edo SUBEB and EdoBEST, and the regular training of teachers and infrastructural development in public schools.

SUBEB Board member for Edo Central Senatorial District, Ehimen Stevenson, said the initiative had resulted increased enrolment in public schools.

Another board member who represents Edo South Senatorial District, Elizabeth Ighodaro, said the initiative had made teachers and pupils to be ever ready, fully motivated and well equipped to teach and learn.

She also said 3,000 well-trained EdoBEST teachers were being recruited through Edo Supporting Teachers to Achieve Results (EdoSTAR).

Addressing teachers being trained under the EdoBEST initative, Obaseki said he would provide adequate resources for their training because of the vital roles they play.

Obaseki said: “No society develops without education. The most important element in any educational system are the teachers. That is why in Edo, we will not joke with the teachers. You are very important to us. I will go to any length to look for the resources to train you, because you are the ones that are going to train our children.

“As you receive this training, note that this is not the end. You are going back to your classrooms and will help us to change the mindset of our children. Many of them are very confused, because when they see what is going on in the rest of the world and see what is going on around them, they do not understand. You must  emphasise the environment in which we live, it is very important.

“Beyond their academic training, you must help us begin to train our children on how to live in society and live for the future. I assure you, as long as you are doing your work well and making sure you deliver value, nothing will happen to you. No godfather can affect you. ”

Obaseki also said the new teachers were recruited to serve in their communities so they do not need long commutes to get to work.

“As for you under EdoSTAR programme, we decided to hire people from their communities. So, they will not have any problems with transfers, going into the future. Anybody who has a problem with that must let us know now. We do not want teachers’ transfer to be a problem in our education system. Anybody who is transferred and refuses to go on transfer will be transferred out of the system. We do not want a situation where all the teachers will be in the same place, it is not fair to the children.”