The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Education

  • ‘Our legal education needs overhaul’

    Which university did you attend and when were  you called to the Nigerian Bar?

    I graduated from the University of London with LLB Honours in July 1975, went to Nigerian Law School, Lagos in October 1975 . I was called to the Bar in 1976. I have been in private legal practice since then.

     

    What was your first experience in court like; the first time you addressed the court?

    My first experience in court was in 1976 when I was on National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) service in Jos. I was posted to the Law Chambers of Owen Fiebai & Co. My Principal, late Justice (Chief) Owen Fiebai, had just been elevated to the Bench and I was instructed to appear to hold brief in a case of negligence which had been fixed for trial. I announced that I was holding brief and asked for an adjournment, but the counsel for the plaintiff opposed it and the judge ruled that the trial must proceed. Based on the little practical knowledge I had already acquired under him, I summoned courage and conducted the cross-examination of the plaintiff’s witness that day. I did my best,. but I was not sure or convinced that my best was good enough, although at the end of the trial, our client won the case thanks to the senior counsel who took over and led me from the next adjourned date.

     

    How would you compare law practice in your early days with what  obtains in the profession now?

    What obtains in the profession or the law practice now is a far cry from what obtained in my early days and years. Every thing about the legal profession seems to be going from bad to worse. Standards have fallen so much, the quality of the legal education and legal practice, the ethics, the dressing, etc. all have gone down so much. The entire Legal Education Policy of the country needs a total overhaul if we want any improvement. During our time, once you come out from the Law School, you could handle most basic procedures in law practice and in the courts because of the quality of the practical courses and teachings in the Law School. There were constant tutorials and moot courts and there were experienced lecturers with law practice experience. Due to the high quality of legal education we received at that time, I was confident enough to accept to appear weekly as a Guest Lawyer on NTA Channel10 Lagos weekly programme “Legal Angle” a know your rights and the Law Programme from 1981 to 1985. A very substantial majority of the Law School graduates in the last ten or more years did not appear to know much about the law not to talk of its practice due to the low quality and mode of teaching law students both at the University and the Law School which ought to and should be reviewed if we are to continue to have properly trained lawyers. Although some students and lawyers are lazy and not hardworking, they cannot be held responsible for the fall in standard and quality. Most of the problems can be traced to the mode of teaching at the Universities and the Law Schools.

     

    You have been the chairman of the Otu  Oka-iwu for some time now. What are the challenges of leading  the Otu?

    I was elected the President of Otu Oka-Iwu Lagos in March 2009 for a term of three years and re-elected for another term in April 2012. For the benefit of readers, I will explain what the Otu is. The Incorporated Trustees of Otu Oka-Iwu Lagos, is an Association of all Igbo Lawyers residing, working or carrying on legal practice in Lagos State. It was set up in the early seventies immediately after the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War and duly registered in 1987 at the CAC to amongst other things provide benefits, programmes and services which promote professional growth and enhance the quality of life of its members. When I took over, the Otu was at its lowest ebb. Attendance at the meeting had dwindled due to some problems of leadership and the time of the meeting which was very late evening. On my assumption, we changed the time of the meeting to 3 p.m. so that members could leave in good time and get home early. I also introduced at the general meetings monthly lectures on various aspects of law and practice by experienced legal practitioners and this innovation has been attracting more and more new members at every general meeting of the Association. Right now, we have lectures on various topics of interest to lawyers already lined up for the rest of the year and members have voluntarily taken up hosting and provision of refreshments for the rest of the year. I receive wonderful support from members for which I am extremely grateful. As the saying goes, a good leadership attracts a good followership!

     

    What type of Otu will you like to have on ground to meet the needs of Igbo lawyers in Lagos; do you intend to organise any programmes in the near future?

    As provided in its Constitution and Bye-Laws, the Otu has always held receptions to honour its members and non-members elevated or appointed to any high offices or positions in the country or abroad and all its members elevated to Judges or to the rank of Senior Advocates of Nigeria and other high offices or positions have been so honoured. It has also honoured virtually all the Ndigbo Supreme Court Justices when the Supreme Court was based in Lagos and all Ndigbo Court of Appeal Justices and Judges of the Federal High Court and Industrial Court posted to Lagos. In February 2012, it honoured a number of Judges of the Federal and Lagos State High Courts based in Lagos and also our members elevated to high positions. We are planning to host very soon the two Ndigbo Supreme Court Justices appointed last year, a recently appointed Judge of the International Criminal Court at the Hague and also Ndigbo Court of Appeal Justices currently serving in Lagos and some of our members recently elevated to high positions.

     

    The NBA Lagos will soon elect new officers to pilot the affairs of the branch. What type of exco do you envisage for the branch?

    6.The current NBA Lagos Branch Exco has done well but I am disappointed it could not get the new Branch Bye-Laws to go into operation since they came into office in 2011. There have been a number of abuses by members of the Exco both past and present in the exercise of powers and finances and the new Branch Bye-Laws approved at the Branch AGM in 2010 contain provisions that would help to check those abuses. I envisage an Exco that will work selflessly for the interest and benefit of the members and also get the new Bye-Laws working.

     

    Insecurity has become the order of the day in Nigeria. We see kidnapping here and there. How can we get out of this problem?

    The insecurity we are experiencing today is as a result of complete loss of values and corruption for several years now. The seeds for these vices were sown several years ago but unfortunately they germinated during the present federal and state administrations. We need to re-inculcate our values, seriously fight corruption, enthrone the Rule of Law and eradicate impunity. All those who commit crimes should go to jail no matter how highly placed they are. One sure way of doing this is to separate to office of the Attorney General from that of the Minister of Justice and allow the various agencies to freedom to pursue the prosecution of criminals. Also, we should introduce State and Community Police to help fight crime.

     

    The NBA Section on Business Law (SBL) conference is here again. What are your expectations from the conference?

    The NBA Section on Business Law (SBL) Conference has always been the flagship and the trail-blazer of all NBA Sections Conferences. It has always been very successful, educative and beneficial to all to attend it. I expect it to be even better this year. I will be there and have the privilege and honour of being the Chairman of one of the Sessions.

     

    Lagos State is ready to introduce electronic portal for filling and serving of court processes. How do you feel about this and how  do you think it facilitate  quick administration of justice in the State?

    The Judiciary and the Legal Profession must move with the times. This is the era of modern technology. Lagos State has always set the pace and so it is not a surprise at all that it is ready to introduce electronic portal for filing and serving of court processes. It is a most welcome development and will definitely quicken the administration of justice. It will also reduce amount of hand writing the Judges does and the time it takes, for example, to obtain certified documents and records from the court. What else does one expect from a state like Lagos where a very progressive, forward-thinking and proactive person like Mr. Babatunde R. Fashola SAN is the Governor!

     

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) recently sanctioned some judges and suspended another one. What is your reaction to this?

    It is now becoming the trend that once a lawyer loses a matter before a judge, rather than go on appeal, the lawyer himself or his client(s) on the advise and with the active collaboration of his lawyer, writes a petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC) against the judge. This practice has become more rampant amongst the senior lawyers and some Senior Advocates of Nigeria who believe they have the contacts and connections to “deal” with the judge concerned. This practice must be condemned and discouraged and the NBA as a body must come out and fight it. The judges should not be intimidated and they must have the courage to do what they consider right in the circumstance. Of course, any judge that is guilty of any wrong doing ought to be disciplined. At the Valedictory Court Sessions held on May 27, 2013 in honour of Justice Okechukwu Okeke, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice I. N. Auta, speaking on this issue said “I pray that the current situation where lawyers refuse to develop our jurisprudence by testing decisions of the lower court on appeal than resorting to petition, will one day come to an end for God forbids that a Judge should know all the law”. The question I want to ask is “Since when has the exercise of a discretion judiciously and judicially by a judge become a misconduct?”

     

  • Stakeholders back quality art education

    President of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), Mr Oliver Enwonwu, has described art as an authentic expression of the minds, which encompasses literature, playwriting, painting and craft of the people.

    He said through art the identity of the people can be revealed. “Art can be used to proclaim the power of the kingdom and show the identity of the people,” he said, noting that art plays a vital role even in religion by using it to show the greatness of God.

    Oliver spoke at the yearly United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) international art education week organised by the International Society for Education through Art in collaboration with the Society of Nigerian Artists. The theme of the event held at the Yusuf Grillo Gallery, Yaba College of Technology, was Art is beauty, wealth and the soul of a nation.

    It featured art talk and art exhibition of selected Nigerian artists’ works. The art education week is to increase global awareness about the importance of quality arts education by showcasing projects and practices, along with reinforcing cooperation with principal stakeholders such as artists, patrons, collectors, gallery owners, art lovers, art teachers, schools and students in order that the potential of culture and cultural diversity are fully realised.

    Former Provost, Federal College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta, Dr. Filani, who spoke on art education, said art is an expanded discipline that involves everybody and that it is significant to be creative enough in everyday life in order to make right selection. “Art gives utmost satisfaction. It is very significant and it measures the civilisation of a country’ he said. He added that art assist in creating a total person. If you lack the intellectualisation of activities of art, you will not realise full sensation,” he added. Filani urged artists and art teachers to generate new collectors while young to encourage everyone to understand and appreciate art because appreciation is a vital part of art.

    Founder, Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Art Foundation (OYASAF), Yemisi Shyllon, urged students to take art seriously saying that art gave him the ‘ability to reason in many dimensions, to be creative, to have expanded nature about life, ability to develop the basic instinct in me as a person. If you try and develop your instinct in art, you will have nothing to regret’ he said.

    He described art education as the beauty and soul of a nation which is not measured in terms of physical wealth but in terms of human capacity.

    According to him, Nigeria needs to develop human capacity which is very important in any nation.

    Among the renowned artists at the event were former Dean School of Vocational Studies, Federal College of Education (Technical) Dr. Demola Azeez and former vice president of SNA, Dr. Kunle Adeyemi.

  • UniAbuja: No time frame for School of Medicine accreditation — Okojie

    UniAbuja: No time frame for School of Medicine accreditation — Okojie

    The Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie, says there is no time frame for the accreditation of courses for the University of Abuja School of Medicine.

    Okojie made this known at the opening of a three-day National Stakeholder’s meeting on the Nigerian Research and Education Network in Abuja on Tuesday.

    He said although the students had been clamouring and protesting for the accreditation of the courses, the NUC must ensure that it followed due process to ensure a credible accreditation.

    The executive secretary reiterated the commission’s commitment to ensure that graduates were well equipped and could compete with their counterparts anywhere in the world.

    Okojie had in the wake of the protest by the university’s medical students blamed the university’s former Vice Chancellors, Prof. Nuhu Yaqub, for initiating engineering and medical programmes without approval.

    The university had been embroiled in crisis following the suspension of Engineering, Veterinary, Agriculture and Medical students in April 2012 by the Federal Ministry of Education over non-accreditation.

    Meanwhile, Okojie says the latest development followed NUC’s inspection visit which discovered that the university has failed to equip its community clinic, a basic requirement for medical examination.

    He said that as a result, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, refused to allow the medical students to sit for their final examination.

    Most of the students, NAN learnt, had spent between seven to eight years without moving to the next level and unable to write the MBBS professional examination.

    Engineering students of the university protested in November 2012, over the issue.

    In its efforts to resolve the crisis, the university’s management, in collaboration with the NUC had earlier this year announced the transfer of engineering students to five other universities in the country.

  • Creative Ogbeni’s education revolution

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar got it right vividly last week when he joined the State of Osun people in his wife’s town of Ilesa to launch of Opon-Imo.

    He was quoted: “Our greatest asset in this country is not oil; it is not cocoa; it is not cassava or groundnuts. And I respect all our farmers and their contributions towards our development. Our greatest asset is our people, the Nigerian people. We have to educate and train our teeming young population if we seriously hope to develop this country.”

    From experience, he believes education and training will open doors of opportunity to students and help in rebuilding the nation. “Only education can guarantee the future of our young people. The education of our children and the overall development of our human capital is something that we can all agree on, irrespective of our political parties or platforms. We may disagree on how and where. But very few people would ask why we should give our children quality education,” he summarized approvingly.

    Undeniably, one of the issues depressing Nigeria’s development today is the waning state of education. That people now prefer sending their children to school in Ghana is a pointer to failure locally. But I have become excited with the move taken by the governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, which was authenticated by Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, as step to revolutionize the education sector.

    The innovation of Opon-Imo (the Tablet of Knowledge), a standalone e-learning tablet that provides the high school pupils with the contents required to prepare for school leaving examinations manifests the optimism of practical transformation. To radically democratise access to learning, regardless of means, location or status, 150,000 of the tablets are being distributed to all government high school students across Ogbeni’s state.

    Opon-Imo, a portable electronic device, which is controlled through its touch screen interface, is the first of its kind initiative in Nigeria, Africa and possibly, the world. As informed by the governor, it will tackle the learning problem using contemporary ICTS, indigenous content, and taking into account socially-embedded factors. It is a mobile learning tool pupils can utilize in multiple at home, in school and any other location and fitting for a country like Nigeria with unreliable networks because the customized content will work regardless of data networks.

    With 56 tutorials and e-textbooks covering 17 subjects, there are also more than 40,000 practice questions and answers, seven extra-curricular books capable of tracking pupil’s academic progress. To make it more usable, beyond being powered by electricity, independent powering communal solar charging systems have already been installed in all the schools as a resourceful initiative in a nation stressed with awful power system.

    Apart from bringing the schools closer to the students and serving as “a silver bullet to the learning challenges,” Ogbeni affirmed that the project aimed at building a knowledge-based society and digital-drive economy will ultimately work towards the development of the nation. This benefit will even be beyond saving the state an estimated annual textbook procurement cost of N8.4billion ($53million). What a unique novelty.

    Just like Atiku counselled, notwithstanding political parties or platforms, Ogbeni has shown commendable inventive way other states and the central government can integrate into in order to transform this nation in reality. Also in the same manner Asiwaju Bola Tinubu applauded Ogbeni, he has indeed been performing as a man of “principle, determination, optimism and progressivism who always believe in achievements and transformation.”

    With the Opon-Imo creativeness, it is established that Ogbeni governing in ways that are not usual has “all it takes to perform wonders because he is a tested and trusted administrator who knows his onions.”

     

    Please, boo misinformation minister more

    What a pity that Information Minister Labaran Maku has lost the correct spirit of journalism which is based on the truth and truth alone. He now acts and talks the way of typical Nigerian politician, fabled in sham and fickleness.

    Why things have not been working in the country was because of the insincerity of those in power. They strive to impress themselves instead of dedication to pleasing the people who they used to attain power.

    In the exertion to satisfy the President, and not Nigerians, Maku was gallivanting at the 2013 Ministerial Platform of the administration’s mid-term report. He bragged that the Federal Government intervention in road and transport sector were unprecedented in Nigeria’s history. To him, the work on rail and water are so marvellous. “We have never seen anything like we have seen since 1960” on the jobs being done. Really? He claimed that since Tafawa Balewa administration in the 60s, no government was able to fulfil promises as much as GEJ’s. Na wha o!

    As he was over-shooting himself, as if those he was talking to were dumb and blind, he lashed Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola as a non-performer who merely generates 80% of the state revenue from federal infrastructure. According to him, “most of the projects in Lagos State where taxes are being collected are federal projects;” adding that “Lagos State does no significant thing other than environmental sanitation.” What an imprudent assertion?

    And that was how he fell to the hands of the thousands of participants at the event – comprising his erstwhile media colleagues, civil society organisations officers, MDA officials and members of the public who couldn’t see any sense in his cacophony. They all booed him just the same way he is now being booed all around for his inanity, folly and senseless talk.

    Even an adversary of Fashola with wisdom cannot rebuff the impact of his performance on Lagosians.

     

    FEEDBACK

    Re-Please, make Nigeria indivisible

    Sir, I agree with your piece. I must say that any government which fails to recognize the welfare of her subjects as primary duty deserves condemnation avalanche. Nigerian governments need to improve their service deliveries to the common people. May God bless Nigeria with good leaders. From Comrade Ishowo Olanrewaju, Ilorin.

    Soji, the dog that will get lost can, and will never listen to its owner’s whistle. Tell me, who can atone the sin of election abracadalists? The whole scenario is a game of sanctimonious hypocrisy. From Soji Oloketuyi Jnr, Igbemo Ekiti.

    “The nation that once had the potentiality of greatness has been stagnant for too long” was your last statement. You are not a young boy. If you’ve been watching Nigeria’s event with objective mind, you’ll know where our problems are from.

    I’m not happy with today’s Nigeria, but the ‘gully erosion’ that has devastated our lives actually has its origin.

    From Amadi Ibeleme

    Thanks Soji for your piece. Those still hoping on Jonathan to use federal might on Amaechi are living in fool’s paradise. The governor’s supporters in Rivers State are more than his rivals. But let GEJ know that the game is up. From Wenenda, PH

    Sir, not only that am I pleased with your write up, I also want to encourage you for good work. NGF election was monitored online by Nigerians. So, who are those fooling the president? From Solomon Vambe, PH

    Gov. Akpabio has a character issue. Can you ask him what practice he was into before entering politics? His real character came out when he couldn’t check that Yobe and Gombe governors’ names were on the list, that original date was cancelled and Gov. Jang’s name was added with a biro. What a shame is that in democracy? From Tony

    I wonder aloud whenever I saw or hear Akpabio behaving on telly. Are his subjects in Akwa Ibom so daft that none of them can call him to order? Yoruba has a name for his likes: omo aijobe to’ja epo sara. Thank you. From Samuel Oke Aro

    Thanks for your article on Amaechi. I am from South-South and I know I won’t vote for Jonathan in 2015. 2347057483717

    PDP and GEJ are shooting themselves in the combined foot and making way for the opposition. From Utah

  • Varsity education not for all, says Rector

    The Rector, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO) in Ondo State, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, has decried the negative attitude of students and government towards Technical and Vocational Education (TVE).

    Delivering the maiden seminar of the institution with a theme: Building a 21st Century Polytechnic: Issues and challenges, Ajibefun lamented that millions of admission seekers prefer the university as their first choice but only opt for polytechnics, where TVE training is offered, when they are not admitted into the university.

    He said Nigeria’s pre-occupation with university education has reduced economic opportunities of those who are more oriented towards vocational work than academic, stressing that not everyone needs a university education.

    The Rector described technical education as the engine for economic growth, adding that any nation which seeks rapid development must pay greater attention to polytechnic education.

    He said the emphasis on theory is the reasons graduates lack “employability” skills, which can be acquired from TVE institutions.

    As a result of disregard for TVE, the Rector said Nigeria now lacks skilled technicians for crucial sectors of the economy.

    He said: “While TVE has continued to thrive in many societies, Nigerians have not seen it as important. Consequently, the society lacks skilled technicians: bricklayers, carpenters, painters and auto mechanics, among others.

    “The half-baked roadside mechanics in the society cause more harm to vehicles when contracted to service vehicles. The poor performance of Nigeria’s house builders (such as bricklayers, e.t.c) is no longer news.

    ”It is no longer stranger for competent technicians to come from neighbouring countries. Most of the so-called expatriate engineers who are heavily paid in construction companies in Nigeria are graduates of technical and vocational colleges.

    ”Yet Nigerians do not take technical instititions seriously. Building a 21st century polytechnic would require proactive actions from stakeholders”.

    Unlike Nigeria, Ajibefun said developed nations like America, Canada, United Kingdom and others are able to improve on their economy due to their appreciation of TVE skills.

    Ajibefun said: “The Dutch school system is said to pay attention to high standards in mathematics and the provision of vocational education at ages 14-16 for a third of all pupils, and widespread vocational education at 16 above. Secondary schools in many other development-conscious nations have vocational centre that offer vocational training for lifelong trade together with general academic studies.

    ”For instance, India and the “Asian Tigers” could not have been become what they are without massive investment in technical education.

    “Long before the Europeans arrived, education had been part of Nigerians. The Children were taught about their culture, social activities, survival skills and work. Most of these education processes were impacted into the children informally; a few of these societies gave a more formal teaching of the society and culture. This has been the culture in Nigeria.”

    The Rector restated his commitment in ensuring that RUGIPO students are employable as they get 90 per cent praticial training and only 10 per cent theory work.

  • Higher education bank

    Higher education bank

    •Good idea indeed that requires tweaking

    Indigent but brilliant students that cannot pursue their dream for higher education due to lack of financial assistance may have cause to smile if the bill proposing the establishment of a higher education bank scales through in the National Assembly. The bill proposes to establish The Nigerian Education Bank, with the primary duty of granting interest-free loans to poor students seeking higher education. Tagged The Students Loan (Access to Higher Education) Bill, it is sponsored by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila. The bill has passed the second reading in the House of Representatives.

    This is a welcome development in a country where majority of the population live on about one dollar per day. Of course there are many hurdles confronting prospective seekers of the proverbial Golden Fleece in the country, lack of funds is however a major factor.

    While the children of the rich who cannot cope with the rigorous admission processes find solace in many of the private universities in the country, many others find their way into higher institutions abroad. None of these come cheap; for example those in the private institutions in Nigeria pay as much as N700,000 to N2million per student, per annum. Those who go abroad for studies pay even far more.

    Against this backdrop, whatever is done to liberalise access to education, particularly higher education, should be applauded. No one should be denied access to primary or tertiary education simply on account of his or her parents’ inability to pay. Many of the elite, especially in the south -western part of the country who are something today attest to the fact that they could have become nonentities but for the free education initiated by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the Western Region. That region remained a major reference point in education and development matters until the military came and imposed unitary rule on the country.

    No doubt, there is nothing novel in what the education bank hopes to achieve. There was a students’ loan board under the Gowon administration from where indigent students accessed money to finance their educational needs. Unfortunately, many of the beneficiaries did not repay the loans, leading to the eventual collapse of that arrangement because the loan was supposed to be revolving.

    This is why we have to caution that there should be adequate checks and encouragement in the proposed arrangement to ensure that beneficiaries pay back with ease. Minimum wage in the country is about N240,000 per annum. This is grossly inadequate to finance university or higher education even locally; that is assuming the parents do not touch the money at all but invest everything on the student in higher school. So, it is highly thoughtful of the House of Representatives to have pegged those qualified for assistance under the scheme at those whose parents earn about N500,000 per annum. If people would not have access to higher education, it should be because they are not cut out for it or they are not serious enough; and not because the parents cannot afford it.

    However, we do not understand the basis of the two-year period that the House set for commencement of repayment of the loan. Ours is a country where graduates roam the streets years after graduation; what happens if the beneficiaries have not secured jobs two years after graduation? How would they be able to repay the loan so as to avoid the sanctions attached to it, which is that repayment should commence two years after the completion of the national service? These are very important questions that must be taken into consideration to make higher education a right and not a privilege.

  • Amosun’s wife starts Green Education

    Amosun’s wife starts Green Education

    Wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, has established the Green Education for the Youth (GEFTY) initiative to teach young people.

    She advised children and youths in the state to support and promote her campaign for the going green initiative through tree planting to ensure a sustainable and healthy environment.

    Speaking during the Children’s Day celebration/launch of GEFTY initiative at the Moshood Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, Mrs. Amosun said all children and youths are GEFTY ambassadors and they were expected to launch the Ogun State Youth 10,000 Tree Planting exercise, which would be accomplished through 6,000 children present at the ceremony.

    She noted that the initiative is geared towards promoting a clean and healthy environment devoid of environmental pollution as well as teaching them to protect their future to contribute to the progress of the state and Nigeria.

    “The world is going green and job creation is going green and we do not want our children be left out in the sensitisation of the green initiative. Today, we shall be flagging-off 10,000 tree seedlings to be distributed to our children for planting in their homes and environment to ensure greener and better condition of the environment, she said.”

    Mrs Amosun called on parents to join hands with her in uplifting the environment by ensuring their wards are guided through the planting process, enjoining them to educate the youth on recycling techniques and get unemployed youths off the street into the recycling business of turning waste to wealth.

    “Let’s educate them on agricultural tree planting and get our unemployed youths off the street into farmland orchards: they should plant fruit trees in tons on acres of land, and in so doing they would sustain the environment whilst earning a living,” she said.

     

  • Reflections on the crisis of education sector

    Reflections on the crisis of education sector

    The recent release of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results by the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB) continues to elicit both negate and positive debates among students and stakeholders. In fact, this year’s UTME has become starkly controversial than any other period in recent history, simply because of the intricacies that surrounded the exam from start to finish. Many had expected positive outcome from the exercise but alas, the exercise appeared as one in futility, if the results and statistics coming from the exam body are anything to go by.

    According to JAMB, the number of prospective candidates who bought forms and sat for the exam totalled 1, 644, 110. Out of the 1, 644, 110 candidates, 1, 629, 102 applied to sit for the Paper Pencil Test (PPT), while just a paltry number of 15, 008 decided to go for the Dual Based Test (DBT). With this staggering number unprecedented in the history of the exam body, one would have thought quite a handful would easily have passed or made at least a good grade to proceed for the post-tertiary exams in their chosen university. Reverse was, however, the case. Of this huge number, according to JAMB Registrar, Prof Dibu Ojerinde, only 10 out of the 1, 644, 110 candidates who sat for the examination scored 300 and above, with 628 other candidates scoring between 270 and 299. Furthermore, a total of 12,110 candidates’ results

    were being withheld for examination malpractices, while the results of another 68,309 candidates from various centres were undergoing further screening to ascertain their capability. A total of 40,692 candidates’ results were invalid “due to multiple shading or no shading at all”, while 47, 974 candidates remained absent.

    With these appalling and shocking results, there is no denying the fact that something fundamental is wrong with the Nigerian education system. Since the results were released, accusations and counter-accusations from JAMB, parents and students on the conduct of the exam have been flying around. Just like the year before, this year’s UTME was fraught with series of anomalies and problems. Cases where candidates could not find their names on the examination day, wrong combination of subjects assigned to candidates or even the failure of the so called biometric system as a result of laptops running out of battery power, became rampant all over the country. As if that was not enough, the high level of cheating unprecedented in the history of the UTME reared its ugly head with parents, students, teachers, invigilators, mercenaries, security personnel and JAMB officials, all colluding to give candidates a field day.

    Prof. Ojerinde claimed that students were no longer serious about their studies and accused most of them of failing to read the two novels recommended by JAMB from which questions were set in a particular subject. He went further to absolve JAMB of any misconduct; expressing confidence in the board’s marking process, even as parents and candidates continue to fret at the shocking and heart-breaking scores.

    What bothers this writer is how long this educational malfeasance will continue at a time when viable education in saner climes is evolving dramatically by the day. Is it that many Nigerians are not ready to embrace the innovative skills JAMB has put in place for a good conduct of its yearly exam or JAMB itself does not understand the psyche of the average candidates to whom they are setting exams for? What exactly is wrong with the system that things continues to get worse annually without a long term solution? Are we that unintelligent to understand where we are getting it wrong, or how come it is always a clash of two titans—JAMB and prospective candidates—with neither admitting fault? For how long would we continue to lament and watch this fragile sector as education go down the gutters of malfunction?

    This writer is of the belief that what is happening is a result of contemporary systemic failure where education, right from the home to both the primary and secondary schools, have failed to raise a critically conscious generation with moral values. At the end, we breed children who are only interested in having quick success without hard work. For the simple fact that many of these candidates have not had the pre-requisite upbringing from childhood which is a tool for success after hard work, desperation sets in. Many wish to pass at all costs and in a bid to do that engage in so many acts inimical and detrimental to self and society.

    For as long as we neglect these simple values, we should expect the worst in the following years. Since those who are meant to regulate the educational system have failed to do their jobs efficiently, that very stage of child upbringing suddenly develops series of flaws. When we look around us, hundreds of mushroom schools spring up every day with little or no regulations to guide their activities. Even the ones which are government owned lack facilities to assist the students in educational development. A student who has not seen chemical elements like acid and ammonia or has not been taught how to dissect common rabbit in his biology class or does not have in his agriculture laboratory common seeds like cotton seed, cowpea etc., would have nothing to offer during school, state or national exams.

    Our schools are replete with stagnant, weary and redundant teachers who have no iota of passion in them for teaching. Most of them lack teaching skills hence teach nonsense. It is these set of students, having been taught by these drop-outs, who eventually, in a bid to be part of the few available spaces in the tertiary institutions resort to desperate measures to pass. At the end, when the results emerge, they blame the system, even as the system is heavily to be blamed.

    Until we go back to entrench and instil moral value in our education system, things will surely continue to get worse. Since it is a reality this year that not even 300, 000 will be admitted to study their course of choice owing to the abysmal results, all stakeholders, especially the government, must begin a process of re-organisation, re-orientation and re-awakening to ensure that this appalling failure does not repeat itself. If we think this problem is one of those usual ones to shove aside, then we must be ready to bear the consequences, a situation which will be dire.

    If the National Youth Service Corp, NYSC had once discovered two of its prospective corps members could not write their names, soonest, we shall have doctors prescribing pain killers for rashes. It is gradually happening in our midst, therefore, we must not wait else, a time bomb should explode right before our faces.

     

    • Oluwafunminiyi writes from Lagos

     

  • AUN graduates 289 students

    AUN graduates 289 students

    The American University of Nigeria (AUN) has graduated 289 students at its fifth convocation ceremony held on Saturday in Yola.

    Speaking at the convocation, the President of the university, Prof. Margee Ensign, said that the university since its inception nine years ago had centred on community-based services and development.

    According to him, the university is committed to helping the community and society achieve equitable and sustainable prosperity.

    “The central mission of the university is to respect, integrate and promote colourful traditional, religious and cultural  heritage of its students and community in this process of change.

    “The goal is to spur local economic development by providing hands-on training for local people and at the same time, protecting and enhancing  the natural environment.”

    The president said that the university’s sustainability initiative was one of its many developmental projects.

    She pointed out that one of such projects was the training of groups of women from the host community on recycle plastic and other waste-into-useful items.

    On the insecurity in the country, Ensign said that the university had attained  a meaningful development where it had become a major sponsor of peace initiative groups, including the popular Adamawa Peace Council.

    She explained that the group was assisted with a view to fostering peace and harmony in the state and in the region.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that two prominent scholars: Charlayne Hunter-Gault, an American and the late Alhaji Abubakar Imam of Nigeria were conferred with honorary degrees of Doctor of Letters.

    Among dignitaries at the occasion were the the former Vice President and founder of the university, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, foreign diplomats, traditional rulers and academics from various institutions within and outside Nigeria.

  • Education students hold congress

    Education students hold congress

    The National Universities Education Students Association (NUESA), University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) chapter, has held its congress.

    The event, which took place at the faculty’s lecture theatre, started at 3pm with an opening prayer, which was said by the Financial Secretary of the Joy Ikhioya. This was followed by a minute silence in honour of a lecturer, the late Dr. Emmanuel Adeoye.

    In his address, the president, Abdulrazak Babatunde, congratulated the students on the success of the faculty’s Ankara Day.

    The event was followed by an award ceremony, attended by Nollywood actors Femi Branch, Adebayo Salami and Tunde Kelani.

    Abdulrazak praised the faculty representatives for their support during his tenure.