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Tag: Adamu Adamu

  • ASUU alleges FG plans to force N350,000 tuition fee on varsity students

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Tuesday revealed that the Federal Government is already concluding arrangements to force students in public universities in the country to pay atleast N350, 000 tuition fees per session

    The Ibadan Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Dr. Ade Adejumo, raised the alarm when he addressed journalists at the Correspondents’ Chapel of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State council, Ibadan.

    Adejumo was accompanied by the union’s chairmen from University of Ibadan, Dr. Deji Omole; Osun State University, Dr. Femi Abanikanda; and Investment Secretary of ASUU in UI, Prof Ayo Akinwole.

    He noted that, the vehement objection of the union to the proposed tuition fees, actually led to the collapse of 2017/2018 Renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, adding “the union is again constrained to draw the attention of Nigerian public to an impending labour crisis in the Nigerian universities as a result of the insensitivity and non-challance of the Nigerian government to issues critical to the survival of the educational system in Nigeria.”

    Giving a background to the crisis, Adejumo said, when the 2009 agreement was overdue for renegotiation, the Federal Government set up a team, led by Dr. Wale Babalakin to renegotiate with the union.

    He said, “It is no longer news that the renegotiation, which Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, promised was going to last for only six weeks, has broken down.

    “The reason for this very unfortunate development will appall most Nigerians. First, the leader of government team, who was supposed to be an arbiter between the parties, assumed an arrogant attitude that sought to foist a predetermined mindset of government on the union.

    Read Also: ASUU kicks against education bank

    “The union was confronted with a situation where government is bent on imposing tuition fees, beginning from N350,000 on students in the Nigerian public owned tertiary institutions.

    “On the question as to how the students will raise such money, the answer that government has is that it will establish an Education Bank, where students will, access credit facilities and pay back on completion of their studies.

    “The union, speaking from the background that education is the right and not privilege of every Nigerian child, made frantic efforts to make pragmatic explanations on the negative implications and the non-feasibility of this scheme to representatives of government to no avail.”

    According to ASUU, the leader of the government team, Babalakin, has not dropped the proposed new tuition regime, vowing that the union would resist such outrageous tuition. The union described the development as a ploy to deprive poor masses of their rights to education, saying if the Education Bank is established, many students would not be able to access loans. Adejumo further stated that the move was an agenda of some foreign bodies to continually enslave Nigerians, especially the poor ones.

    The Ibadan zonal coordinator of ASUU, recalled that the union, “after all avenues to seek the attention of government failed, went on a warning strike in 2017 to press home some demands. At the point at which the warning strike was suspended, our union signed a Memorandum of Action (MOA) with government. The summary of issues in the MOA point to some actionable tasks on the side of government and the union, aimed at redeeming the parlous state of educational sector in the country.

    “Unfortunately, we are now back to where we started with the Federal Government’s failure to implement the agreements reached with our union in the MOA.”

    Adejumo stated further that the government has always agreed that the condition in the Nigeria University “is a serious state that needs urgent intervention. As a result, government agreed to pay a quarterly intervention N20billion into a dedicated account at the Central Bank of Nigeria to pilot the revitalization scheme. Unexpectedly, government has refused to pay the said amount which has now accrued to N2trillion.

    “Instead of releasing the fund that will address the infrastructural deficit in Nigerian universities as agreed, government went to the media last week that it has given N20billion to ASUU! This propaganda of government is unhelpful as ASUU is a union and does not collect money from government.”

    Adejumo said some of the other issues that might force ASUU to go on strike are non-release of the forensic report on the disbursement of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) covering the period of 2009 to 2017 to members, failure to pay arrears of shortfall in accrued salaries in universities that have been verified under Presidential Initiative on Continuous Auditing (PICA), failure to release operational licence to National Universities Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO), and needless proliferation of state universities.

     

  • Why we prioritized fight against corruption – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday explained why the Federal Government prioritized the fight against corruption.

    He said corruption had become a cancer in the lives of Nigerians, hence the need to fight it.

    The president spoke at the 40th anniversary of the Commonwealth Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Africa (CAPA), holding in Abuja with the theme: ‘Enhancing technical capacity and partnerships for industrial and sustainable economic development in Africa.’

    Buhari, who was represented by Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu stated that Nigeria has sought the collaborations of relevant international organizations and agencies to ensure that illegally acquired proceeds are confiscated and brought back to the coffers of the Federal Government.

    The President said: “In order to entrench good governance, the present government has been waging a war on corruption, indiscipline and poor governance.

    “Corruption has become a cancer in our daily lives, which is why government decided to prioritise the fight against it and in this, it has also sought collaboration with relevant international organisations and agencies, ensuring that all illegally acquired proceeds are confiscated and brought back to the coffers of government.

    “It is part of the patrimony that ought to have been used to fund TVET.

    The president stated that the challenges of matching training to employment and lack of institutional capacity were major problems confronting African countries.

    He said these challenges have fueled many criminal activities like rebellion and insurgencies which threaten good governance and democratic institutions on the continent.

    Read Also: Buhari will rid Nigeria of corruption, says Emenike

    Buhari said: “Today, the challenges of matching training to employment, lack of institutional capacity, as well as the growing problems of youth unemployment and underemployment have become one of the central concerns for most African governments.

    “At one level, these have fueled many criminal activities, rebellion, insurgencies, social instability and unrest that threaten good governance and democratic institutions in our nations.

    “It is imperative that government and non-governmental organizations rise to meet these challenges by all means possible and proffer alternative means of redefining our common heritage- a heritage defined by hard work, integrity and concern for community.”

  • Buhari directs minister to convene education summit

    President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, to urgently convene a summit on education to address problems of funding in the sector.

    The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, disclosed this while declaring open the Official Session of the 63rd National Council on Education (NCE) in Abuja.

    The President, according to a statement issued by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Willie Bassey, on Monday in Abuja, described education as a tool for national development and said its funding was important for sustainable development.

    Echono said the President urged the ministry to convene a national summit to explore different funding models for education.

    The statement said the three tiers of government – federal, state and local government – would be mobilized to efficiently support the funding of education in the country.

    The President said no government could single-handedly fund education and therefore called on stakeholders to join hands with the Federal Government to reduce the population of out-of-school children in the country.

     

     

  • FG releases result of admission into unity schools

    The Federal Government has released the results for the 101 unity schools in the country.

    Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, approved the release of admission into Junior Secondary School 1 of the 101 Federal Government Colleges.

    Adamu, in a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Sonny Echono, said the release of results followed the 2018 selection exercise for placement of qualified candidates into Junior Secondary School One (JSS1) which took place in Owerri, Imo State.

    Read Also:http://staging.thenationonlineng.net/fg-releases-unity-schools-admission-list/

    The statement said the selection exercise employed the national merit criteria of 60 percent with a cut-off score of 146 and above, and equality of state of 30 percent of the colleges’ carrying capacity.

    The statement reads: “Due to the effect of insecurity in the North East and North West zones of the country which affected the filling of the colleges capacity, the Minister has also approved for supplementary examination to be held tentatively on 11th August, 2018, for such colleges to enable them fill their vacancies.

    “Candidates are therefore requested to check their result at the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja all Federal Government Colleges and also online at http://www.education.gov.ng releases or INTERVIEW TEST.”

     

  • Education Ministry endorses “Nestle for healthier kids manual” for schools

    The Federal Ministry of Education (FME) has endorsed the “Nestle for Healthier Kids Manual’’ targeted at inculcating a healthy life style in school children from an early age.

    The endorsement was made by the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, on Thursday at the launch of the “Nestle for healthier kids programme” in Abuja.

    The programme, expected to commence in schools in Ogun State and some in the FCT will carter for about 17,000 kids in its pilot stage.

    The minister, represented by Mrs Benedicta Okonkwo of the Dept of Basic and Secondary School, said the manual was endorsed considering the fact that it was only a well fed child that would excel in school.

    Adamu explained that children became stunted when they are malnourished, and as such could be backward in learning.

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, who was represented by Dr Chris Isokpunwu, Head of Nutrition, Federal Ministry of Health, said children would live a healthy life when they eat healthy.

    “The major problem in the country is unhealthy life style, which leads to obesity, hypertension and so on. People no longer live to old age.

    “Some of the deaths in the country now occur because people don’t take care of their diet and life style. It is time to go back to the olden days of good life style.

    “But it is necessary to start with children under five years, to inculcate a healthy style of living into them from an early beginning,” Adewole said.

    He said that the school feeding programme of the Federal Government was part of efforts to show the children the right kind of food to eat, even when at home.

    The minister urged Nigerians to reduce their intake of carbonated drinks and drink more of clean water.

    Mrs Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Nestle, said their global vision was to help over 50 million children have the right information, enjoy good nutrition and healthy life style.

    Uwadoka said: “This year we want to reach about 17,000 children with this nutrition education.

    “We are going to experiment this programme in Ogun State and in FCT, particularly in the Abaji Area Council.

    “And we will have a monitoring and evaluation team that will be able to give us a monthly, quarterly and annual report on the programme. This will help us to spread the programme to other states.”

    Mrs Gloria Nwabuike, Marketing and Public Affairs Manager of Nestle, said “Nestle for healthier kids programme” was launched globally on May 15, to mark the UN International Day of Families.

    Nwabuike said that it was being launched in Nigeria to increase the awareness of healthy living.

    “Part of what we do is to train the teachers to enable them impact this nutrition education in the children, so that when they grow, they will practice the same healthy living.

    “We also embarked on this school-based initiative having in mind that parents know that every day counts when preparing children for a successful future,” Nwabuike said.

    According to her, the company aims to build, share and apply nutrition knowledge as well as offer tastier food choices and inspire families to raise healthier kids.

    The event featured the unveiling of the Nestle for Healthier kids Manual and the signing of partnership certificate.

  • FG spent N138bn on basic education – Minister

    The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, said on Wednesday the Federal Government has spent about N138 billion on basic education in the country.

    Adamu stated this at the flag off of this year’s National Personnel Audit of basic education institutions in Nigeria.

    He said the government, through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) carried out audit of public schools’ personnel twice, adding that private schools would be added to this year’s exercise.

    He said: “The present administration from 2015 to date has released N138billion as matching grant. These funds are being accessed by states and FCT after paying their counterpart contributions.

    “It is important to note that since its establishment in 1999, the Commission has successfully conducted two national personnel audits of basic education institutions in the country.

    “These exercises, which were carried out in 2006 and 2010 focused only on public schools.

    “I am, however, delighted to inform you that the 2018 NPA will cover both public and private basic education institutions in the country.”

    He said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari would not fail in providing quality basic education to Nigerians.

    Adamu added: “One of the key success factors in the effective implementation of the Ministerial Strategic Plan, which was launched last year, lies in having reliable data for planning at all levels of our educational system.

    “The NPA will go a long way in establishing a strong foundation for the emergence of a Sound Management Information System (MIS) within the Basic Education Sector.

    “It will also strengthen the current National Educational Management Information System (NEMIS) which serves as a key pillar of the nation’s educational planning architecture.”

    UBEC Executive Secretary, Hamid Bobboyi, said the personnel audit would provide the Commission with opportunity for comprehensive data gathering of all public and private basic education institutions in the country.

     

  • FEC approves N61bn for road projects, others

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved a total of N61.464 billion for roads, dredging of seaport and construction of buildings.

    Five ministers – Babatunde Fashola (Works, Power, and Housing), Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation), Abdulrahman Danbazzau (Interior), Suleiman Adamu (Water Resources), Adamu Adamu (Education) and the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, briefed State House correspondents after the meeting.

    The seven hours meeting was chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    Amaechi said the Council approved N13 billion for dredging of escravos Warri Seaport.

    Fashola disclosed that his ministry presented three memos which resulted in the approval of three contracts.

    The projects, he said, included Babalampa – Sharam road in Plateau State at a cost of N19.92 billion, Lagos – Ota – Abeokuta road revised upward by N22 billion and Enugu -Port Harcourt expressway at a cost of N6.31 billion.

    Danbazzau said N234 million was approved for construction of two buildings, cadet mess and cafeteria.

    Adamu disclosed that FEC approved the establishment of Nigeria Army University in Borno State.

  • Buhari appoints new rector for Ado-Ekiti Fed Poly

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Dr. Dayo Aladebeye as the sixth substantive Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti.

    According to the letter appointing Aladebeye dated 1st March, 2018 and signed by Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, the appointment is mwith effect from 23rd February, 2018.

    Oladebeye before his latest appointment was earlier appointed as the Acting Rector on 18th December, 2017 following the expiration of the tenure of the immediate past Rector, Dr. Theresa Akande.

    According to a statement on Tuesday by the Deputy Registrar, Information, Mr. Ade Adeyemi-Adejolu, Oladebeye is the first alumnus of the Polytechnic to rise to the position of Rector.

    Oladebeye, 55, graduated from the institution with Distinction in Mechanical Engineering in 1986 and joined the services of the Polytechnic as a Technologist in 1987.

    The new rector holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering rising through the ranks to become a Chief Lecturer, the highest academic appointment in a Polytechnic, in 2007.

    He had at various times served three times as Head of Department, Dean of the School of Engineering and Deputy Rector for four years.

  • Buhari advises TETFund on interventions to institutions

    Buhari advises TETFund on interventions to institutions

    President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the Tertiary Education Trust Fund ( TETFund ) to continue to offer meaningful and purposeful interventions to all public owned tertiary institutions in the country.

    The president said this would help his administration to create a knowledge based economy in the country.

    Buhari, according to a statement from TETFund, spoke at the 2nd and 3rd Combined Convocation of Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State. The institution graduated a total of 837 students while 42 bagged first class degree.

    The president, who was represented by the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Abubakar Rasheed, described the interventions of the agency as the catalyst for achieving the desired knowledge-based economy for Nigeria.

    He said: “I am also happy with the special role of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in the physical and academic development of this young university. It is clear, that since the establishment of the Federal University, Dutsin-Ma. TETFund has remained the single, largest development agent in the institution.

    “I urge the TETFund to continue to offer meaningful and purposeful interventions in Nigeria’s higher education institutions to help in realizing our government’s desire to create a knowledge based economy in Nigeria.”

    He expressed delight over the completion and commissioning of multi-billion naira physical infrastructure projects sponsored by TETFund at the University.

    He explained that the physical projects ranging from Senate Building, Buildings for Faculties of Agriculture and Science, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Complex, Library building, Faculty of Agriculture Laboratories, Students’ Hall of Residence (Hostels) for Male and Female which were commissioned by the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Dr. Abdullahi Baffa as part of the convocation ceremony was clear indication of the resolve of his administration to tackle the problem of access to tertiary education in the country.

    Buhari promised that he would continue to fight the challenge of unemployment, particularly graduate unemployment through the creation of a thriving and dynamic labour market that would enable young people achieve their full potentials as self-employed entrepreneurs and employers of labour rather than merely job seekers.

    “I want to challenge all Nigerian Universities to come out of their shell to build constructive linkages and collaborations with the industrial sector of the society. This remains the vibrant way we can enhance the socio-economic and technological transformation of our society.

    “Government on its part will continue to give maximum support to University Education despite dwindling resources available to it. However, all Universities should seriously consider more efficient ways of resource mobilization and also find ways of attracting funding for research from across the world,” he said.

    Dr. Baffa, in his remarks, said the agency would continue to pursue interventions that would meet the desires of the Federal Government under the direction of the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu.

    He explained that provision of infrastructure for conducive teaching and learning activities were aimed at ensuring that the dream of increased access to quality higher education for all Nigerians by the minister became a reality.

    The university since inception have benefitted about N5billion as Special Intervention for Take-Off Grant, Proto-type Hostels, Academic Buildings etc.

    NAN

  • FG launches 2017/2018 annual school census

    FG launches 2017/2018 annual school census

    The Ministry of Education on Tuesday launched the 2017/2018 Annual School Census, aimed at solving the problem of out-of-school children.

    The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, said at the ceremony in Abuja that the census was designed to obtain the accurate number of schools and validate the figures.

    The theme of the launch is “Making Every Learner’s Environment Count: A Panacea for the Dearth of Empirical Education Data and as a way of solving the problem of out-of-school Children Syndrome in Nigeria”.

    The minister said that five states had already been mapped and placed on the website www.nemis.gov.ng for accessibility by all.

    “Imo, Edo, Ondo, Kogi and Taraba states have keyed into this initiative and we hope all states will key into this exercise and link up so that our data could be validated promptly.’’

    He said the launch signalled the simultaneous commencement of the enumeration of all schools, pupils, teachers and facilities at the basic and post-basic levels in the 36 states and FCT.

    “The conduct of the Annual School Census is in line with the provision of the Nigeria Education Management Information System Policy of 2007 which provides for the collection of education data beginning from the school.

    “Thus, the Education Management Information System processes have since 2009 been decentralised to the states in order to enhance efficiency in the collection, collation, management and dissemination of credible, reliable and timely data in Nigeria.

    He added that the ministry, through NEMIS, would coordinate and monitor the process, while states would conduct the exercise.

    The minister called for cooperation and full participation of the military, paramilitary, private schools, almajari centres and integrated Quranic schools in the exercise.

    Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Sonny Echono, urged federal and states education ministries as well as development partners to organise training on school records keeping for head teachers and principals.

    He said that the Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with UNICEF, had organised trainings on school records keeping in 27 States and the FCT.

    He said the training would continue until all school heads in the basic and post basic levels were trained and cascaded to other teachers in the system.

    He, therefore, urged states to take the exercise serious collect more accurate and reliable data.

    Also, Mr Adebayo Solomon, Education Specialist and Consultant at the World Bank, stressed the need to improve data collection mechanism in the country.

    Solomon said that the 611 million-dollar project targets the utilisation of 90 per cent of the money to ensure the return of children to school, adding that it would last for five years.

    NAN