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Tag: Adamu Adamu

  • NUT national president advocates teachers tribunal

    NUT national president advocates teachers tribunal

    Mr Michael Alogba, the National President, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), has called for the setting up of teachers tribunal to try teachers against unprofessional ethics.

    Alogba made the call on Wednesday in Ibadan at a workshop on Training the Trainers organised by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) for selected teachers in the country.

    Alogba said that the union was not always happy when teachers engaged in unethical behaviours.

    He said that the TUC was more concerned about the standard in teaching, adding, “one cannot give what one does not have’’.

    “We are more concerned about the standard in teaching. There should be no room for quarks in the teaching profession.

    “This is because quacks will go into the classroom, damage the pupils and possibly make them more confused than they were before, it is the responsibility of the NUT to ensure this does not happen,” he said.

    The NUT president, however, commended the Buhari administration in the restructuring of the education sector.

    He said that the union was more than ready to partner with the TRCN to move the teaching profession in Nigeria to a place of Eldorado.

    He said that the move by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, and the TRCN in terms of professionalism in the teaching profession “is a right step in the right direction’’.

    “This move of making teaching to a professional standard will bring about change in attitude and will improve the quality of education in the country,” he said.

  • Schools to teach Maths, Science subjects in indigenous languages, says Minister

    Schools to teach Maths, Science subjects in indigenous languages, says Minister

    The Federal Government says primary and secondary schools in the country will soon start teaching Mathematics and Science subjects in indigenous languages.

    The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu said this at the inauguration of inter-ministerial committee in teaching of Mathematics and Science subjects in Local languages in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The inter-ministerial committee involved Federal Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Education.

    He said the inter-ministerial committee would help to develop the capacity of the local languages to serve as effective tools for teaching mathematics and science subjects.

    According to him, the project will help Nigerian students to understand mathematics and science subjects better.

    He said the project would also promote the application of science and technology for national development.

    The minister expressed concern of the government over the low interest in mathematics and the science subjects by students.

    Onu said various countries like India, China adopted a related strategy by teaching mathematics and the science subjects in their indigenous languages at the primary school level.

    He added that those countries were making advancement in science and technology.

    “For us to build the country of our dreams, for us to make Nigeria a truly great nation, a nation that is able to feed and house its citizens, a nation with a stable currency, we must embrace science and technology.

    “ Nigeria will remain dependent nation if the citizens did not embrace science and technology, because no nation can become great without science and technology.

    “If Nigeria is to be great then, Nigerians must embrace science and technology.

    “The socio-economic challenges we are facing in the country is as a result of inadequate application of science and technology,“ he said.

    Onu said that graduates were no longer able to get jobs after their studies because the nation imports everything it needed.

    Earlier, Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, said using mother tongue to teach Science and mathematics would certainly help and ensure better understanding of the of the subjects.

    Adamu, who was represented by Dr Useni Adamu, Director overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said that the project would facilitate a major breakthrough in the area of Science and Technology.

  • Teachers to earn higher salaries than other workers -FG

    Teachers to earn higher salaries than other workers -FG

    The Federal Government Thursday said it is working on plans to ensure that teachers are paid salaries higher than other workers in Nigeria.

    The government said increase in the salaries of teachers would help to attract the best to the teaching profession.

    Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, disclosed this at the inauguration of Governing Councils of 21 Federal Colleges of Education.

    Adamu, who was represented by Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah, said the teaching profession had ceased to be “all-comers affairs.”

    He warned that teachers in Nigeria across all levels must register with the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) before the end of this year or risk being sent out of classrooms.

    Adamu said government has under studied Malaysia and came to realisation that the country got it right by first taking a critical look at teaching and teacher education.

    He noted that Malaysia in the quest for greatness had brought down its education sector and reorganised it for effective development of human resource in order to get to where the country is today.

    The minister said to start with, teachers in Malaysia were paid higher than other workers and that the federal government felt it was expedient to extrapolate that for implementation in Nigeria.

    He said: “What did they do? They brought the whole system down and ask what do you want us to do in education. Their planning was geared towards the development of human resources. In Malaysia, top percent of those who scored the highest in their equivalent of JAMB compete to be teachers.

    “If you are a teacher in Malaysia, you are to ranked than any other worker in the country. This is why you will find people with PhDs teaching in primary schools. Teachers are paid higher than any other person in Malaysia and we have made that recommendation and we are going to do that in Nigeria,” he said.

    Adamu, also lamented the dearth of quality teachers Nigeria, saying it was unfortunate that the noble call had not been able to attract the best and the brightest because of inadequacies in the system.

    He insisted that the current administration was ready to get it right with the cooperation of all stakeholders.

    He added that colleges of education have remained critical institutions‎ because they do not only produce teachers on which everything else is dependent, they also produce teachers at the basic level of education.

    He reminded members of the Governing Councils of the enormous task ahead of them saying their appointments, though part-time in nature, have come at a time when the country is recovering from recession and that the institutions have been without Governing Councils since 2015.

    Adamu, therefore, challenged the Governing Councils to come with policy direction that would assist in the effort to strengthen the quality of teachers produce by the institutions as well as how to generate funding for their various institutions.

    He urged them to avoid friction with the management of the colleges, saying there must be clear distinction between the management role of the institutions and the powers of the Governing Councils to enunciate policies and provide needed fillip for the implementation of those policies.

     

  • FG releases results of unity schools

    FG releases results of unity schools

    The Federal Government Thursday said it has released the result of this year’s National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) into Federal Unity schools.

    Acting Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Husseini Adamu said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu gave the approval to National Examination Council (NECO) to release the results to the public for access in all the State Ministries of Education nationwide as well as NECO zonal offices.

    According to the statement, 80,421 candidates registered for the examination but only 77, 512 candidates actually sat for the examination.

    “The general analysis of the result shows that the highest score was 189 out of 200 scored by two candidates; Emeka-Egbuna Chinecherem C. and Onubogu Chinazom Joyce both from Anambra State, while the least score was 4 scored by 8 candidates.

    “Queens College, Yaba Lagos was one of the colleges with highest subscription of 5524, while the least subscribed college was FGGC, Monguno Borno State with only 21 candidates.

    “The result can be accessed on-line http://www.fmeinterview.com or through NECO zonal offices nationwide, to know whether a candidate is shortlisted for placement or not,” the statement said.

    The statement added that the placement exercise is scheduled to take place in July, 2017.

     

  • FG tasks governing council of 23 federal universities on funding

    The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu has urged the newly inaugurated governing council of 23 federal universities to look inward to broaden the Internally Generated Revenue Base (IGR) of the universities.

    Adamu gave this advice on Tuesday in Abuja at the inauguration of the reconstituted governing board of the universities.

    He also called on the councils to look inward to broaden the Internally Generated Revenue Base (IGR) of the universities with a view to support the universities.

    According to the minister, the governing council should annually review the university budget to monitor its performance and assess the overall impact of its implementation.

    “In view of the current economic situation in the country, I call for the prudent management of the scarce resources while efforts should be intensified to broaden the Internally Generated Revenue Base of each university.

    “You should also ensure the judicious application of revenues so generated,’’ Adamu said.

    The minister also called on the council to be agents of change by seeing to it that every act of corruption was avoided in their various universities.

    “You should join the crusade of the Federal Government in the fight against corruption, by making this fight visible in the universities.

    “As seasoned and successful individuals in the public, private sectors and in your various professions, you will be expected to live above board in the discharge of your duties.

    “ Any corrupt practices by councils including condoling cases of indiscipline by staff, is bound to have a destructive effect on the system and on the products of the system, hence must be avoided,’’ he said.

    He, however, urged universities management to support the governing councils as they implement policies and decisions of the council.

    In his address, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission called on the councils to display a high sense of commitment in the discharge of their duties.

    Rasheed, who emphasized the role of the council in the development of universities, said the commission would continue to support the councils to achieve its desired result.

    “NUC appreciates the critical role of the governing council in the development of Nigerian universities.

    “The NUC will continue to make itself available to ensure that it succeeds in its task and to succeed, every one of you should display a high sense of commitment, teamwork and dedication no matter the challenges,’’ he said.

    Also, Hon. Suleiman Aminu, Chairman, House Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund stressed the need for the councils to synergise with Vice Chancellors of the universities to ensure unity of purpose.

    Aminu promised to work with the legislature to ensure that universities were properly funded, adding that the various leakages in the universities must be blocked.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari sometimes in April constituted the chairmen of governing councils of these universities.

    The selection was made in cognizance with provisions of the respective legislation with respect to composition, competence, credibility, integrity, federal character and geo-political spread.

    Those inaugurated are: Amb. Nimota Akanbi, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Mukhtar Mohammed, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Bayero University, Kano, Sen. J.N. Waku, Federal University of Technology Akure and Prof. Shehu Zuru, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun.

    Others are, Prof.  Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof. John Ofem, Federal University, Owerri, Mr Muhammad Zayyanu, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike and Mr Bukar Zarma, Modibbo Adama Univrersity of Technology, Yola.

    Also to head are, Aziz Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Sani Maikudi, University of Abuja, Dr Aboki Zhawa, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Prof. Alkassum Abba, University of Agriculture Makurdi and Isah Ashiru, University of Benin.

    Others are, Sen. Nkechi Nwogu, University of Calabar, Joshua Waklek, University of Ibadan, Dr Jibril Oyekan, University of Ilorin, Tony Momoh, University of Jos, Dr Wale Babalakin, University of Lagos and Prof. Biodun Adesanya, University of Maiduguri.

    Also in the group are, Mike Olorunfemi, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. A.C. Awujo, University of Jos and Hon. Pearl Enajere, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto.

     

  • FG tasks governing council of 23 federal universities on funding

    The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu has urged the newly inaugurated governing council of 23 federal universities to look inward to broaden the Internally Generated Revenue Base (IGR) of the universities.

    Adamu gave this advice on Tuesday in Abuja at the inauguration of the reconstituted governing board of the universities.

    He also called on the councils to look inward to broaden the Internally Generated Revenue Base (IGR) of the universities with a view to support the universities.

    According to the minister, the governing council should annually review the university budget to monitor its performance and assess the overall impact of its implementation.

    “In view of the current economic situation in the country, I call for the prudent management of the scarce resources while efforts should be intensified to broaden the Internally Generated Revenue Base of each university.

    “ You should also ensure the judicious application of revenues so generated,’’ Adamu said.

    The minister also called on the council to be agents of change by seeing to it that every act of corruption was avoided in their various universities.

    “You should join the crusade of the Federal Government in the fight against corruption, by making this fight visible in the universities.

    “As seasoned and successful individuals in the public, private sectors and in your various professions, you will be expected to live above board in the discharge of your duties.

    “Any corrupt practices by councils including condoling cases of indiscipline by staff, is bound to have a destructive effect on the system and on the products of the system, hence must be avoided,’’ he said.

    He, however, urged universities management to support the governing councils as they implement policies and decisions of the council.

    In his address, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission called on the councils to display a high sense of commitment in the discharge of their duties.

    Rasheed, who emphasized the role of the council in the development of universities, said the commission would continue to support the councils to achieve its desired result.

    “NUC appreciates the critical role of the governing council in the development of Nigerian universities.

    “The NUC will continue to make itself available to ensure that it succeeds in its task and to succeed, every one of you should display a high sense of commitment, teamwork and dedication no matter the challenges,’’ he said.

    Also, Hon. Suleiman Aminu, Chairman, House Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund stressed the need for the councils to synergise with Vice Chancellors of the universities to ensure unity of purpose.

    Aminu promised to work with the legislature to ensure that universities were properly funded, adding that the various leakages in the universities must be blocked.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari sometimes in April constituted the chairmen of governing councils of these universities.

    The selection was made in cognizance with provisions of the respective legislation with respect to composition, competence, credibility, integrity, federal character and geo-political spread.

    Those inaugurated are: Amb. Nimota Akanbi, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Mukhtar Mohammed, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Bayero University, Kano, Sen. J.N. Waku, Federal University of Technology Akure and Prof. Shehu Zuru, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun.

    Others are, Prof. Femi Odekunle, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof. John Ofem, Federal University, Owerri, Mr Muhammad Zayyanu, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike and Mr Bukar Zarma, Modibbo Adama Univrersity of Technology, Yola.

    Also to head are, Aziz Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Sani Maikudi, University of Abuja, Dr Aboki Zhawa, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Prof. Alkassum Abba, University of Agriculture Makurdi and Isah Ashiru, University of Benin.

    Others are, Sen. Nkechi Nwogu, University of Calabar, Joshua Waklek, University of Ibadan, Dr Jibril Oyekan, University of Ilorin, Tony Momoh, University of Jos, Dr Wale Babalakin, University of Lagos and Prof. Biodun Adesanya, University of Maiduguri.

    Also in the group are, Mike Olorunfemi, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. A.C. Awujo, University of Jos and Hon. Pearl Enajere, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto.

  • FG to establish National Commission for Secondary Education

    FG to establish National Commission for Secondary Education

    The Federal Government Monday revealed that it plans to establish a National Commission for Secondary Education to regulate secondary education in the country.

    Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu disclosed this in Abuja on Monday when he received students of Nigeria Tulip International Colleges (NTIC) who won 48 awards for Nigeria in mathematics, geometry, robotics and various international academic competitions this year.

    Adamu said the plan to establish the commission was part of the ongoing reforms in the education sector by the federal government.

    He noted that while the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) regulate and intervene in tertiary education, there is no agency or commission to regulate secondary education as it is done with primary and junior secondary education through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

    The minister said: “This administration came on the mantra of change and reform and that is what we are going to do.

    “For secondary schools in particular, you know for a very long time, there had been a commission, just like there is Universal Basic Education Commission for primary and junior secondary schools, Tertiary Education Trust Fund for tertiary, this commission for secondary education is going to be revamped.”

    Adamu, who commended the students of the college for making Nigeria proud, added that the Tulip Colleges since coming into Nigeria about 20 years ago had been among the best from Secondary to the Tertiary.

    He expressed the readiness of the ministry of education to support the NTIC.

    According to him, emphasis in education should be on science subjects like engineering, technology, and Mathematical sciences.

    “I want to urge you to keep up what you have been doing. I assure you that the future of Nigeria rest in your hands,” he added.

    In his remarks, Principal of the college, Mr. Nwuazu Omeje, said the aim of the school is to groom the students to greatness through provision of quality education and good moral upbringing.

    According to him, the colleges do not just pay attention to education alone but also the character of the children, adding that one could not aspire to any reasonable position in the society without good character.

    The Principal disclosed that one unique thing that the colleges had done was provision of scholarship to the brilliant but indigent students.

    He said various mathematical competitions are organized in collaboration with the National Mathematical Centre, Abuja, where the intelligent students from poor background who could not afford the school fees are offered scholarship to study in the colleges.

    According to him, the aim of the NTIC is to complement the effort of the federal government in providing quality education to citizens.

    “A good number of our students are on scholarship and we don’t discriminate. We go to every state, local government to advertise the competition and the successful ones are brought into the school,” he said.

    The NTIC has branches in Abuja, Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Yobe and Kaduna,

     

     

  • NGO wants FG to sanction states refusing to access UBEC funds

    The Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), an NGO, has called on the Federal Government to sanction states that are refusing to access the Universal Basic Education funds.

    The organisation made the call during a rally to commemorate the global action week on Thursday in Abuja.

    The theme of this year’s event is “Ensuring Accountability for SDG4’’.

    Mr Kabir Alihu, National Moderator, CSACEFA, said there was need for necessary reforms in the education sector, adding that these reforms required full utilisation of the UBEC funds for the development of the sector.

    Alihu noted that the education budget in 2017 had received tremendous increase and as such should be channelled to appropriate quarters for speedy utilisation.

    “From the document made available to us by UBEC, we find out that there are states that have not access the funds from 2011 and 2013.

    “With this we believe there is a problem somewhere, so we feel there should be a disciplinary mechanism and we should make education budget more transparent, more inclusive of the Civil Society Organisations and NGOs.

    “By so doing, it will make the government accountable on what whatever they are meant to do,’’ he said.

    The national moderator urged the Ministry of Education to review the Act on compulsory free education so as to accommodate all secondary school students, especially those in the Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3).

    Alihu highlighted gray areas that the ministry should draw more attention with a view to develop the education system of the country.

    He listed some of the areas to include adequate incentive of teachers, accessibility of schools to children, especially the girl child and the less privileged, increase in the education budgetary and planning process among others.

    “The essence of this rally is to commemorate with the global action week. We want the review of the nine year compulsory free education to 12 years to accommodate the senior secondary students.

    “We think that Act should be reviewed to be in line with the SDG 4 to have a quality 12 years education and leaving no one behind.

    “There should also be increase funding of education at all level both at the national and state levels,’’ he said.

    Also, Mrs Chioma Osuji, Policy Adviser, CSACEFA noted that the N60 million lying fallow with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should be accessed for the development of the education sector.

    Osuji added that not accessing these funds would reduce the quality of education and denied many Nigerian children access to quality education.

    “As at last month the boss of the UBEC stated that about N60billion is lying fallow in CBN that states have refused to access.

    “So, if states are not accessing the funds, how do we deliver and ensure quality education in Nigeria.

    “Millions of children are not accessing education; the schools are in poor state. Money is there just lying fallow as states have refused to access these funds.

    “Take for instance, Ebonyi state since 2011 has refused to access these funds and we have issues of education in that state. Kogi state for over 12 to 15 months has refused to pay the teacher’s salary.

    Mr Hamzat Lawal, the Chief Executive, Connected Development (CODE), said that holding public officers accountable in the utilisation of funds would greatly help in the execution of projects.

    Lawal said that the organisation would continue to track funds that were meant for the development of education system in the country.

    Responding, Malam Adamu Adamu, Minister of Education, assured the group that their grievance would be looked into with apt attention.

    Adamu, who was represented by Dr Mohammed Umar, Director, Human Resource Management in the ministry, said the issues had coincided with what the ministry was doing at present.

    “ I assure you that these certain key points will be presented to the ministry. This has also coincided with what we are currently doing and with your support we will achieve all this.

    “All that is required is your patience because change is a gradual process; all these key points on review of curriculum, increase in the budget and the rest are what we doing,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the group took their procession from the eagle square to the National Assembly and finally down to the Federal Ministry of Education.

    The inscription on their placards read: Increase Education Budget, UBEC money should be in a fixed deposit account; use it wisely, Make Education Prerogative of the Girl Child and Recruit Quality Teachers.

    Others include: Sanction states that refuse to access the UBEC funds, Oyo State, Constitute SUBEB; utilise the UBEC funds and increase citizen participation in education budgetary and planning process, among others.

     

  • EFCC investigating three Federal universities – Minister

    EFCC investigating three Federal universities – Minister

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently investigating three federal universities established by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan over allegations of financial misconducts.

    The universities under the EFCC searchlight are federal universities of Kashere, Dutsin-Ma, and Otuoke.

    The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, disclosed this during the inauguration of a seven-man probe panel on the 12 new federal universities established by Jonathan’s administration between 2011 and 2013.

    Adamu said the EFCC is probing how the universities utilized the take-off grants released to them by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

    The universities under probe are federal university, Lokoja; federal university, Oye-Ekiti; federal university, Ndufu-Alike; federal university, Dutse; and federal university, Gusau.

    Others are federal university, Gashua; federal university, Birnin-Kebbi; federal university, Lafia; and federal university, Wukari.

    Adamu said the 12 universities were provided with grants to enable them to effectively meet their operational recurrent expenditure and most importantly, capital expenditure towards the execution of the various identified take-off projects.

    He, however, said the audit panel was necessitated by the avalanche of complaints and petitions from stakeholders and clients including the new vice chancellors of the 12 universities as well as campus-based unions and community leaders.

    The minister said: “The EFCC is also currently investigating a number of allegations of financial impropriety arising from the utilization of the take-off grants in some of the universities such as, Kashere, Dutsin-Ma and Otuoke.

    “It is highly desired, in line with the stance of the present administration on transparency and accountability in public affairs, that an audit of the utilization of the grants for the take-off projects in the 12 universities be undertaken.”

    While stressing that the audit panel was not an attempt to witch-hunt anybody, the minister urged members of the committee to discharge their responsibility with diligence and seriousness it deserves.

    The committee was mandated to determine the actual amount released to the National Universities Commission (NUC) by TETFund as take-off grant for projects in the 12 universities.

  • Nigeria will continue to promote Commonwealth ideas – Minister

    The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, said the Federal Government will continue to promote the ideas of Commonwealth among children in Nigeria to promote virtue, democracy and good governance.

    Adamu said this at a news conference to mark the 2017 Commonwealth Day Celebration with the theme: “A Peace Building Commonwealth,” held on Tuesday in Abuja.

    According to him, Commonwealth is the only organisation in the world that is not based on religious or bias sentiment.

    He added that the Commonwealth had no constitution and also guided by 16 core values.

    The minister said the idea was aimed at promoting international peace, security and understanding.

    According to him, it also provides other member countries the channel to interact, cooperate and work together to eliminate wars, fight diseases, poverty and hunger.

    “There is no better time for peace building initiatives to be discussed than today.

    “The issue of peace is the collective responsibility of actors in society, and this includes government at all levels, families and parents, communities, schools, religious bodies, corporate organisations and international development partners.

    “Anticipating the Commonwealth, African Union Heads of States and governments saw the need to use education to inculcate the values of peace in young people,” he said.

    The minister added that the ministry had unveiled its strategic plan for the Nigerian education sector for 2016-2019.

    NAN