The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Adamu Adamu

Auchi polytechnic students seek Buhari’s intervention over rectorship crisis

The Students of Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately intervene in solving the rectorship crisis in the institution.

Their appeal was conveyed at a briefing in Abuja at the weekend by a former President of the Student Union Government of the institution, Samson Okoduwa.

The students had last year staged a peaceful protest at the Federal Ministry of Education over allegations of high-handedness, mismanagement and corruption against the acting Rector, Mr. Sanusi Jimah.

The students also urged Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu to make public the outcome of the interview conducted for the position of rector in 2016.

They alleged that the acting Rector was running the institution as a personal office by giving appointments to his friends and cronies.

A development a source at the institution confirmed, noting that 95 per cent of appointments made by Mr. Jimah favored people from his Auchi region.

Okoduwa also alleged that students of the institution were not issued identity card in the 2016/2017 session despite management collecting N1,500 naira from them.

He also alleged that the acting rector failed to conduct an election into the SUG because he wanted to impose a stooge on the students.

According to him, Mr. Jimah deliberately fixed the SUG election immediately after the second semester examination when all students would have finished their examinations and technically seize to be students.

Okoduwa noted that a substantive rector would save the already sinking polytechnic.

He said: “We are again restating/re emphasizing our demand to the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hi Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency, intervene in Auchi Polytechnic rectorship issue.

“The President should direct the Honourable Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu to as a matter of urgency release the report of the already conducted interview in 2016 at Abuja and appoint a substantive rector for the institution.

“The delay in the release of the result/report and subsequent appointment of a substantive rector for Auchi Polytechnic is the millennium corruption.

“The aberration in the appointment of Dr. Sanusi Momodu Jimah as acting Rector by the National Board for Technical Education ( NBTE ) should be withdrawn as the National Universities Commission ( NUC ) has never appointed a Vice Chancellor for any university.

“This already sinking institution should be salvaged as it requires an emergency.”

However, the Chief Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr. Mustapha Oshiobugie, said elections into the SUG was deferred because of security reasons.

He also said the students were issued identity cards to enable them write their second semester examinations.

Mr. Oshiobugie said: “Election into the executive offices of the students union was deferred because of security reasons. Departmental and school elections which preceed the union election had been successfully held in five schools.

“There was violence in the sixth school (School of Engineering). The reverberations could not be contained before the scheduled sessional examinations which was two weeks away.

“To the best of my knowledge, students gain admission into examination halls on presentation of their identity cards showing that they are bona fide students of the polytechnic. The Second Semester examination was conducted using this procedure. And there was no incidence throughout the examination.”

January 22, 2018
Minister wants Islamic scholars to propagate religious doctrines

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, has underscored the need for versatile Islamic scholars to propagate religious principles and doctrines in the country.

Adamu gave the charge in a statement signed by Mrs Chinenye Ihuoma, Director of Press in the Ministry in Abuja on Wednesday.

The director quoted the minister as saying this when the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Prof. Ibrahim Njodi, led his Management team on a courtesy visit.

He said that competency coupled with knowledge should be the only criteria for granting permission to Islamic scholar to embark on open preaching in public places including mosques.

Read also: Unilorin produces 89 First Class graduates

Adamu explained that when the relevant authorities do this they would help check the activities of queer characters pretending to be knowledgeable but ending up to influence young people negatively in the name of Islam.

He restated the resolve of the Federal Government to take necessary measures to safeguard lives and property of students and officials of the University of Maiduguri, who have been incessantly attacked by Boko Haram insurgents and other criminal gangs.

He also commended the university community for their resilience and perseverance in promoting teaching and learning in such a hostile environment.

“Whatever extraordinary actions taken by the Ministry to alleviate their predicament is in exercise of its statutory duties of superintending over the education sector,” he said.

Earlier, the vice-chancellor thanked the Federal Government for approving funds meant to erect fortress in the university campus against attacks by the insurgents.

Njodi also expressed appreciation to the minister for personally visiting the institution to formally commiserate with them over their predicament.

The vice-chancellor said the minister’s action had served as a motivation for them to work harder and achieve the set objectives of the university.

NAN

January 10, 2018
NUC: What to know about six newly approved universities

The Federal Government (FG) on wednesday, approved six new universities at the end of its Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, briefed State House correspondents at the end of FEC meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The six universities include:

1. Admiralty University, Ibusa, Delta State

The Admiralty University of Nigeria was established as a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) through the joint efforts of Nigerian Navy

Admiralty University of Nigeria

Holdings (a subsidiary organization of the Nigerian Navy) and Hellenic Education Nigeria – (a private consultancy, with international educators as main partners) to expand the frontiers of knowledge in various academic disciplines, in Nigeria; to use University education as a tool towards development and the enhancement of human welfare; to meet the challenges of nation building in Nigeria; and to address the acute shortage of personnel in various sections of the economy in Nigeria.

For more info, vist adunedu.org

Read Also: FEC approves six private universities

2.Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan

The proposed Precious Cornerstone University(PCU) is sponsored by THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT MINISTRIES (SOTSM).The PCU expects to produce a select and diverse group of youths with technical, innovative, entrepreneurial and leadership skills to become the catalysts of change.

Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan

For more info, visit sotsm.org/precious-cornerstone-university/

3. Eko University of Medical and Health Sciences, Lagos.

The vision of the university is to be a world-class institution for the medical and other health professions in terms of learning, research, character building and service to humanity.

For more info, visit http://www.ekounivmed.edu.ng/

Others include,

4. Spiritan University, Nneochi, Abia State

5. Pamo University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt, Rivers State

6. Atiba University, Oyo State

December 6, 2017
FEC approves six private universities

The Federal Executive Council ( FEC ) on Wednesday approved the establishment of additional six private universities in the country.

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, briefed State House correspondents at the end of FEC meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The private universities, according to him, are located in Lagos, Abia, Oyo, Rivers and Niger States.

They include:

1.Admiralty University, Ibusa, Delta State

2. Spiritan University, Nneochi, Abia State;

3.Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan

4. Pamo University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt, Rivers State

5. Atiba University, Oyo State

6. Eko University of Medical and Health Sciences, Lagos.

He also disclosed that the National Universities Commission (NUC) is determined to carry out quality assurance in all the universities in the country in line with its statutory responsibilities.

December 6, 2017
How sustainable is the reintroduction of history in secondary schools?

The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history – George Orwell

History was, to the bewilderment of many, scrapped in Nigerian secondary school curriculum back in 2009 by the federal government. What this meant at the time was that the federal government deemed it unimportant that pupils know the history of their country.

The government in its most sacred thought, said there was a dearth of teachers in the field, and that students had no interest in learning the subject.

Indeed, many believed the decision was a conspiracy in high places to keep Nigerians ignorant of their past.

“Whoever came up with that plan to scrap history in our schools didn’t just wake up to take that decision; they thought it out, knew its implication on the future generation. They wanted us done with. They hated us, even before we were born”, says Ukamaka Evelyn Olisakwe.

After almost a decade, the Muhammadu Buhari led government has revealed plans to reintroduced history back in secondary schools – this will take effect from 2018/2019 session.

Why is it being reintroduced now? Are there now sufficient man power to handle the subject? Or perhaps, students are now showing interest in the subject.

According to the minister of education, Adamu Adamu, “Somebody who doesn’t know his history is worse than dead”.

This statement by the minister is a true testament of the worth of history as seen by the government but antecedents have taught us never to take the government on their words – as the stumbling block to the reinstatement of the subject has not been dealt with.

As it stands now, the government has only announced the reintroduction of History but fail to tell the structure it wants to use to ensure that the custom of scrapping the subject does not repeat itself. How then does it hope to sustain this policy once it is implemented?

On this plate, there should be an unravelling of the structure the government has in mind to ensure this sustainability. This will enable experts to scrutinize and critically examine it to ensure its validity and rationality.

The government should also put in place innovative structures to make the subject entertaining and engaging as this will encourage pupils to always look forward to learning the subject.

Secondary schools involved should hire experienced teachers of this subject, who will tell the students how important the history of the country is to their curriculum and to them as citizens of the country.

The two main reasons why governments scrapped History are because there are not enough teachers to take the course and that students are not showing enough interest; for the former, government can partner tertiary institutions offering the course as their graduates could be given the chance to work as teachers in secondary school.

Partnering tertiary institutions that offer the course to give their graduates opportunities to work in government school can as well solve the problem of indifferent attitudes students show during history classes.

Another reason secondary school students show indifferent attitudes towards the subject is the belief that the subject is of no use to them, and that even if they went on to tertiary institutions to study history, they will become redundant.

If the government can put all these recommendations (though not exhaustive) in place, it will ensure that history is not only restored, but seen as an avenue for the preservation of our cultural heritage.

November 29, 2017
Actress, Remi Oshodi tasks government on child education

Nollywood actress, Remi Oshodi, popularly known as Remi Surutu, has called on the present administration and key stakeholders to join hands to push the nation’s education system forward.

Speaking at a press conference put together by the Goldfish Initiative for Illiteracy and Poverty Alleviation last Tuesday, the actress said that it is very sad that majority of Nigerians cannot afford basic education for their children.

“I attended nursery school; I grew up being carried in a car to school, so I feel for those who cannot afford an education. That was why when I was called last year, I felt so moved and I decided to go with them. Because people live in luxury, they see every other person as beneath them and that should not be the case. You have to look for a way to encourage them,” she said.

Also speaking, founder of The Goldfish Initiative for Illiteracy and Poverty Alleviation, Chimanma Rushworth-Moore called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister Education, Adamu Adamu, to raise the standard of education in Nigeria and also make the Nigerian child welfare a priority.

She charged the Federal Government to make education the right of every child, stating that many children in the rural areas can neither read nor write due to circumstances they find themselves.

“Anyone who cannot read or write does not exist because he or she cannot vote. Many children go to school half naked while many sit on the floor in rickety classrooms to learn. Many Nigerian children lack basic welfare. Children’s welfare and protection should be non-negotiable and this is why Goldfish initiative is the voice of these children who cannot speak for themselves,” she said.

She therefore called on Federal Government to make things right by allowing money to flow through the right source to alleviate poverty completely.

The organisaton also held a walk against child illiteracy on Thursday.

November 15, 2017
Buhari condoles with Sen. Goje over wife’s passing away

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday commiserated with the Goje family over the passing away of Hajiya Fatima Yelwa Goje, wife of Sen. Danjuma Goje.

In a letter of condolence to the former Gombe State Governor delivered by a Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of Education, Dr. Adamu Adamu, at the funeral ceremony, President Buhari described Hajiya Yelwa as a kind and caring mother.

Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said: “Further to our telephone conversation, I convey my deepest condolences to you for the loss of your dear wife, Hajiya Yelwa.

“The loss of a spouse is one of the cruellest blows of our lives. However, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala gives life and takes it away when He wills,’’ he said.

The President prayed that Allah would admit her into paradise.

In his remark, Goje expressed his appreciation to the President for sharing in the family’s grief.

The Federal Government’s delegation are Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Musa Bello, Minister of State, Power, Works and Housing, Sulaiman Hassan, Permanent Secretary, State House, Jalal Arabi and the President’s associate, Musa Daura.

Others are Senior Special Assistant, Domestic Affairs, Sarki Abba and Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmad Idris.

November 9, 2017
Malami, Oyo-Ita attend FEC, Danbazzau absent

Some cabinet members linked to the recall to service of the former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina, attended the Federal Executive Council ( FEC ) meeting on Thursday.

Maina, who was on the run for alleged N2 billion scam, got back into service without the knowledge of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The President, on Monday had ordered disengagement of Maina from service and immediate investigation of how he was recalled.

Those linked to the recall who attended FEC on Wednesday included the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

Malami, who arrived the Council chamber around 10:53 a.m had discussions with the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed and the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, before the rendition of the National anthem.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, who was also linked to the issue, arrived the Council chamber around 10:54 a.m.

But the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazzau, whose Ministry Maina was posted to, was absent when the FEC meeting started on Thursday.

The meeting commenced when President Buhari arrived the Council Chamber around 11 a.m.

BREAKING: Police, DSS seal off venue of PANDEF’s Assembly in Port Harcourt

October 26, 2017
Dismiss reports on post-UTME cancellation – Adamu Adamu

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, has urged higher institutions and the general public to disregard social media reports that he has cancelled Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination ( Post-UTME ).

A statement by the Federal Ministry of Education on Wednesday in Abuja directed institutions to carry on with the conduct of the Post-UTME.

The statement was signed by Mrs Priscilla Ihuoma, Director, Press and Public Relations.

Ihuoma said that the minister also warned that institutions charging above the stipulated sum of N2000 for the exercise would be sanctioned.

“The attention of the Minister of Education has been drawn to a news report in the media claiming that the minister had issued a directive to universities to cancel the Post-UTME examinations already scheduled.

“The statement, according to the report, was issued by Mr. Ben Goong, Deputy Director of Press.

“The Ministry would like to assert emphatically that the report is completely false and without foundation; Minister therefore urges universities to go ahead with their Post-UTME arrangements as earlier planned.

“Mr. Goong, who purportedly issued the statement, ceased to be a staff of the Ministry since November, 2016.

“The attention of the minister has also been drawn to some of the institutions who are charging more than the stipulated N2, 000.’’

Ihuoma said that the minister viewed it as an act of insubordination and emphatically redirected that every institution that violated the directive would be made to face disciplinary action.

She said that the minister directed such institutions to refund to the students immediately as Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board ( JAMB ) had been directed to compile list of violators for appropriate sanctions.

“The ministry also urges the media to always endeavour to crosscheck facts with the relevant officials of the ministry before publication, particularly when such sensitive matters of national importance are involved.”

NAN

October 12, 2017
Minister, Plan International advocate rights of girl-child

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu on Wednesday joined other proponents of the girl-child rights to advocate for rights and opportunities for girls worldwide.

It was at the event organized by Plan International- an independent global rights organization committed to supporting vulnerable and marginalized children and their communities to be free from poverty.

Represented by Ariba Opeyemi in Abuja at the occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child, the minister said that the United Nations has set October 11 for promoting the rights of girls and addressing the unique challenges they face.

The theme was: “Unlock the Power of Girls Now.”

He noted that the day promotes girls’ human rights, highlights gender inequalities that remain between girls and boys and addresses the various forms of discrimination and abuses suffered by girls around the world.

According to Adamu, the ministry has in its effort to boost girl-child education developed the National Policy in Gender Education to ensure that gender is systematically mainstreamed into all components of the education sector.

He said that the policy goal is to ensure equal access to basic education and promote retention, competition and high performance for all pupils which require attention and provisions for particularly the disadvantaged children especially girls at the basic education level.

The minister said that the ministry has put in place some strategies to encourage girl-child education in schools which includes advocacy and sensitization.

He added that there are also incentives for girls including scholarship schemes funded by Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).

Adamu was thankful to the organizer, Plan International Nigeria for its quest for a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

His words: “Your contributions to the lives of our young children especially the girls will go a long way to help in living fulfilled lives and ensuring that the girl-child is educated.”

Speaking, Country Director, Plan International Nigeria, Hussaini Abdu said that Nigeria’s commitment and capacity to meet the SDG vision 2030 target will substantially depend on the level of investment in adolescent girls.

He added that commitment to the adolescent girl will help strengthen this important age category, deal with the structural inequality and discrimination, and help break the structural inequality and discrimination, and help break the circle of poverty and exclusion.

Abdu submitted that “to achieve this, government, development partners and civil society groups will need to invest in targeted programmes, advocate and develop adolescent-specific policies and programmes and involve them in the decision- making processes.”

He had earlier revealed that there are about 600million adolescent girls between age 10 to 19 in the world, each with boundless individual potential, but limited opportunities.

He said that they are less recognized and given limited attention and almost vanishing from public awareness and the international development agenda.

According to him, adolescent girls are faced with structural challenges of inequalities in education, access to public health protection and even targeted development interventions.

He insisted that investing in adolescent girls can have enormous multiplier effects on their development and contribute to creating a better world by 2030.

Meanwhile, the former Ambassador of Ethiopia, Nkoyo Toyo, called for the use of basic income and effective public campaigns to bring about the wholesale change in attitudes to ensure that girls and women are valued equally with boys and men.

She said that the “basic income will put the girl out there invisible ways and places of power and help them to seek ways to influence their circumstances.”

October 11, 2017