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NANS urges FG to invest more on education

…Hails FUOYE’s VC on infrastructural development

The National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ) has called on the Federal Government to provide adequate funding for the education sector.

The National Public Relations Officer of the student body, Comrade Odebunmi Idowu made the appeal in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

His appeal comes in wake of the government’s plan to declare an emergency in the sector in April.

Idowu noted that no nation can develop without paying adequate attention to its education, adding that as a nation, Nigeria must begin to give priority to the sector.

“We cannot afford to continue to do the same thing and expect a different result. No nation can progress with such mindset. We need to put efforts together to move the nation’s education sector forward,” he said.

He commended the Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Prof. Kayode Soremekun, over the massive infrastructural development going on at the university.

Idowu said that NANS observed during its assessment tour of the institution that Prof. Soremekun had credibly acquitted himself in running the affairs of the university.

He said: “We need to put efforts together to move the nation’s education sector forward.

“As custodians of Nigerian students, the National Association of Nigerian Students wishes to use this press release to sound a warning to some bad eggs trying to sabotage the VC’s effort in making the university great.

“We took this position after an on-the-spot assessment of the university. NANS commends Prof. Soremekun for the rapid pace of evident development to meet the felt needs of the university and Ekiti community and Nigeria by extension through the training of well-rounded graduates to innovatively meet specific industry/market place needs.

“We want to use this opportunity to call on other administrators of academic institutions in the country to glean invaluable lessons from the disciplined, dedicated and transparent manner which the Vice Chancellor has administered the affairs of the institution.”

He appealed to the federal government to release more funds to the institution for further projects.

Idowu urged other administrators of academic institutions in the country to emulate the disciplined, dedicated and transparent manner which Prof. Soremekun is using to administer the affairs of the university.

“We want to use this opportunity to call on other administrators of academic institutions in the country to glean invaluable lessons from the disciplined, dedicated and transparent manner which the Vice Chancellor has administered the affairs of the institution.

“If all administrators of our universities follow the steps of Prof. Soremekun, our universities would be a reference point in Africa and globally. We encourage other VCs to copy the good development strides going on at FUOYE and ensure they replicate same at their institutions,” he added.

February 5, 2018
VIO issues ultimatum to street traders in Calabar

The Cross River State Chief of the Vehicle Inspection Office ( VIO ), Sir Bepeh Paul has issued a seven day ultimatum to all traders encroaching on roads along Watt and Ika-Ika Qua Markets to leave or be punished according to the law.

Sir Paul, who made this known during a sensitization tour to all roads around the markets, said it was their responsibility to ensure a free flow of vehicles across the state.

Read Also: CEO advocates VAT removal on gas

He maintained that traders were not selling in the market but rather occupying roads that are supposed to be used by vehicles and pedestrians.

He appealled to the traders to look for permanent shops inside the market to make the city look clean, as well as to avoid any action that will cause them untold hardships.

The Director General of the State Green Sherriff, Dr Michael Oko, said modalities had been put in place to ensure compliance by traders adding that the state must remain clean, green and hospitable for both indigenes and visitors.

He stressed that as a team they must ensure that mobile court is formed to prosecute offenders that will not want abide by the law.

February 5, 2018
PHOTO: Metuh being moved into ambulance after court session

Former spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), Olisa Metuh was moved into an ambulance today after the Federal High Court session, Abuja.

Justice Okon Abang in a ruling on January 25, rejected a medial report tendered by Metuh’s lawyers, claiming he was on admission in an hospital.

Instead, the judge ordered Metuh to attend court today or have the bail earlier granted him revoked.

In compliance with that order, his lawyer ensured he was brought to court early today in a white ambulance, belonging to the National Hospital, Abuja.

Olisa Metuh in stretcher

He was later taken into the courtroom on a stretcher, with the assistance of some medical personnel, friends and relations.

He was covered with a white cloth, with an opening only in his head area, possibly to allow him breathe. He had bandage on his legs and neck area.

Metuh and his company, Destra Investment Limited are being tried on allegations of corruption and money laundering.

When proceedings opened, Metuh’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) told the court that his client was in court in obedience to the court’s order, but was not in a good state to stand trial.

He sought a month’s adjournment within which Metuh would have been fit enough to stand trial.

Lawyer to Destra, Tochukwu Onwugbufor (SAN) agreed with Ikpeazu’s position.

Prosecution lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir did not object to an adjournment, following which Justice Tsoho adjourned to March 14 for possible continuation for trail.

At the conclusion of proceedings around 10.15am, Metuh was again moved out of the courtroom, still on the stretcher, into the ambulance stationed close to the court’s main entrance.

February 5, 2018
Gender equality: An important economic rationale

Gender equality simply means a world where women and girls enjoy the same rights and have the same opportunities as men and boys.

Statistics obtained from United Nations as well as an independent survey conducted by the reporter in the process of compiling this report shows that one out of three women around the world have been beaten, coerced into sex and deprived of formal education.

A pseudonym respondent under the name Peace Ajayi said her coercer claimed that her silence meant “yes” because she didn’t say “no” outright.
Another respondent who chose to be anonymous highlighted an emotional threat as one of the methods coercers adopt. They say things like “if you don’t have sex with me, I’ll have sex with someone else,” or “I’ll break up with you if you don’t have sex with me.”

Recently conducted independent survey by the reporter where 27 respondents took part shows that 63% which makes up 17 respondents believe that the most common gender stereotypes in Nigeria is that women’s education end in the kitchen and one out of three has experienced gender discrimination and/or sexual harassment.

In a statement obtained from Adeoye Quadri, an electrical engineer he said women are very good at up keep of the home and should be assigned for the role.

Another respondent is a Lagos based pharmacist, who identify himself as Ugwu, he said “it’s the unfavourable economic situation of the country that made some women to work in an effort to support the family to meet it’s financial needs otherwise women should be a full-time worker in the kitchen and at home generally.

The future of adolescent girls is not so bright

It is estimated that worldwide, 62 million girls’ half of whom are adolescent are not in school. The disparity in gender in education remains quite real today worldwide. In Sub-Saharan Africa, 78% of girls will never enter school, 4% have left school, 24% will enter late. Looking at this data, one would see that the future of adolescent girls looks bleak.

Girls and young women who are victims of gender based violence can be limited in their educational opportunities and success, which can alter their capacity to earn viable income. UNESCO data shows that young women make up two-thirds of the global illiterate population. About 27 million live in sub-Saharan Africa.

According to United Nation Millennium development goal, gender equality can help achieve higher levels of economic growth through women empowerment and development by getting rid of gender stereotyping, gender bias, gender based violence and also educating women and girls because educated women are healthier and earn higher incomes that can lift their households out of poverty while the benefits are been transferred to their children.

We need more teachers.
7.6 million teachers are needed in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2016, data source from financial watch website on assessment of teacher needs by country shows that Nigeria would be in need of over 1.3million teachers in the next 6 years, 12% of the global total. The statistics shows that the biggest challenge remains in Nigeria. Education funding over the years have been poor. Nigeria’s education sector has again been allocated much lower than the 26 percent of national budget recommended by the United Nations.

The global organisation recommended the budgetary benchmark to enable nations adequately cater for rising education demands. But in the proposal presented to the National Assembly, President Muhammadu Buhari allocated only 7.04% of the 8.6 trillion 2018 budget to the education.

The allocation is lower than the 7.4 percent the government gave the education sector in the of N7.4 trillion 2017 budget. The teaching profession is unattractive, salary of teachers are poor. And when they retire, their pensions take too long to get to them.
The most essential step to take is making the need for gender equality as part of education and training. The public should be educated on gender inequality and gender based violence. General awareness is minimal and that is why it must be discussed openly.

Approximately 56% making up 15 respondents out of a total of 27 who took part in an independent survey conducted by the reporter believe that gender equality should be included as part of training and education as a way of creating awareness on the need for eradication of gender inequality.

Women empowerment according to MDG will also close the gap between men and women in entrepreneurship.

Women and girls, must be able to share their truths as survivors of targeted gender stereotyping inflicted upon them because of their gender. Real fears about social stigma and isolation can only be overcome through the broad recognition that violence against women and girls is tragically normalized. By not giving the survivors of gender stereotyping emotional affirmation and non-judgemental support, it allow their offenders to operate freely and with impunity therefore they must be advocated for.

Chart 1: Statistics from countries who believe that the role of women in the society is to be good wives and mother
Source: Ananya, Quartz

“This research was made possible with support from Code for Nigeria via the Naija Data Ladies Programme”

February 5, 2018
Sen. Bukar trains 400 youths on yoghurt making, poultry production

Sen. Mustafah Bukar ( APC-Katsina North ), has commenced the training of 400 unemployed youths in his Senatorial District on yoghourt making and poultry production for self reliance and economic sustainability.

Malam Safiyanu Daifa, his Media Secretary, said at the launching of the exercise in Daura on Monday that it would last for 30 days Daifa said that the resource persons were drawn from the National Research Institute for Chemical Technology ( NARIC ), Zaria.

He said that 33 trainees were registered from each of 12 local government areas in the Senatorial District with Daura getting 37 being the Zonal Headquarters.

READ ALSO: Bukar secures freedom for 60 prisoners

He called on the trainees to make good use of the opportunity to enable them to reap the lofty objectives of the training.

“We would after the training provide them with seed capital to enable them to set up their own businesses,” he said.

The media secretary said Sen. Bukar was determined to make the zone economically viable and independent through innovative projects that would have direct impact on the people.

According to him, the lawmaker is also determined to completely eradicate indolence, idleness and political thuggery in the area.

One of the beneficiaries, Zainab Ahmad, from Ingawa Local Government Area, lauded the efforts of the lawmaker for his youth empowerment projects.

She said Sen. Bukar had made many of them productive and self reliant.

NAN

February 5, 2018
PDP will win the 2019 Presidential election – Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) will win the Presidential election in 2019 because Nigerians yearn for the return of pro-people leadership.

The governor declared that though the APC Federal Government and electoral officials are plotting to subvert the will of the people, they will be resisted by Nigerians.

He spoke in Asaba on Sunday night during the meeting of the National Working Committee and PDP Governors Forum.

According to Governor Wike, if democratic principles are respected, those pretending to be seeking a second term after a woeful performance would have declined contesting elections.

“We are going to win the Presidency in 2019. We take it for granted that we have won our governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly seats”, he said.

He said at present, PDP Governors are orphans in Abuja, hence the need to take over leadership at Federal level

The governor added: “Frankly speaking, If Nigeria is a country where democracy is democracy, so many wont talk about contesting election. Because first of all you need to tell the people what you have done for them.

“What will they come to tell Delta people that they have done in the area? Nothing. What is their confidence? What will they say they have done in the Niger Delta?

“What they don’t understand is that we are more prepared now than in the past. Anybody who thinks that he can come and rig us out, will fail.”

Governor Wike said that the fight against corruption must include the struggle for the promotion of a credible democratic electoral process.

He said: “Part of corruption that we must fight is the corruption of stealing people’s mandate. That is the biggest corruption.

“When we get that right, other things will fall in place. It is corruption when you don’t allow those who have won to be declared as winners. “

He regretted that Nigeria goes to smaller countries to observe how elections are conducted, but are unable to conduct credible polls.

The governor said that no matter the antics of the APC Federal Government, Nigerians will insist on credible polls in 2019.

February 5, 2018
Monday Motivation: Don’t throw in the towel!

By Moses Emorinken

Don’t throw in the towel

Sometimes, life deals you a bad hand; throws punches at you and your dreams and brings you to your knees.

Honestly, it will keep you permanently on your knees if you let it.

Just like boxing, It’s really not about how hard you hit, but about how hard you get hit and keep moving forward.

Say to yourself: IT’S NOT OVER UNTIL I WIN!

February 5, 2018
Morocco/Nigeria: Who wins CHAN 2018?

Adeyinka Akintunde

With the 2018 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) winding down in Morocco, the trophy is up for grasp for either the home-based team of the Atlas Lions of Morocco or the Super Eagles of Nigeria, at the Complexe Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca on Sunday.

A further reward for the winner is a whopping 1.25 million dollars as against the previous 750,000 dollars in the 2016 edition.

Both sides made it to final for the first time, after conquering Libya and Sudan respectively. Morocco won 3-1 against fellow North African rivals, with Ayoub El Kaabi scoring a brace. Nigeria beat Sudan 1-0 with Gabriel Okechukwu getting the solitary goal in the first half of the match.

The Atlas Lions will be counting on their invincible stance and home advantage which has helped them so far in the competition to help them win their first-ever trophy against Nigeria. They had won their group after two wins and a draw and have reached the final without defeat after quarter-finals and semi-finals win over Namibia and Libya respectively. They have twelve goals in their bag so far, and have conceded only two with Ayoub El Kaabi netting eight of those goals.

Nigeria on the other hand started the competition with a goalless draw against Rwanda, before struggling to beat Libya 1-0 in the second group match. A commendable effort from the Super Eagles saw them beat Equatorial Guinea 3-1 to advance to the quarter-finals, against Angola. It turned out a stubborn match, with Anthony Okpotu scoring a late goal for Nigeria, dragging the match into extra time. Gabriel Okechukwu scored the winner in the 109th minute, from a fantastic effort.

Read Also: CHAN – Dalung congratulates Super Eagles

Nigeria Coach, Salisu Yusuf will go into the final, ruing the miss of some of his first team players. Emeka Atuloma, Sunday Faleye and Emeka Ogbuh and goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, are out of the clash against Morocco due to injury. Midfielder Ifeanyi Ifeanyi also got a red-card in the semi-finals. He will therefore have to rely on acrobatic Oladele Ajiboye in goal, Ekundayo Ojo, an emerging midfield power house and Gabriel Okechukwu, the Akwa United forward, who has risen to occasion so far in the competition, to win the CHAN trophy. Morocco on the other hand still have Ayoub El Kaabi and Walid El Karti to bank on in the final against the Super Eagles.

Speaking on Nigeria’s chances, Coach Salisu Yusuf affirmed that if the Super Eagles will “do the right things”, Morocco will be beatable.

“For the game against Morocco, every team is beatable. If we do the right things, why not! We can beat Morocco.”

Each player of the home-based Eagles is expected to earn about 20,000 dollars as the bonus and allowances should they win the 2018 CHAN in Morocco.

It remains to be seen who will be crowned the new kings of African local national teams.

February 4, 2018
Herdsmen Menace: NANS charges Buhari to step up security

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on President Buhari to step up on security in order to stop the incessant killings by herdsmen.

Coming after the herdsmen attack on Taraba state, the students’ body declared that the Cattle Colony proposed by the federal government is dead on arrival and would not hold as government have no right in placing priority in any group of farmers.

The NANS President, Comrade Chinonso Obasi who stated this while speaking to newsmen in Minna frowned at the delay of government towards ensuring that security is sustained in states that are under the attack of herdsmen.

He stated that President Buhari need to stop focusing on 2019 and deal with the security issue at hand.

“A government that cannot proffer security to the people cannot be proud to call itself a government. NANS is charging the President to step up in security, he should stop being presidential and listen to the yearning of the people.

“There are issues and aot of questions that are being unanswered and instead of discussing them, they are busy discussing about 2019 election. It is only those who are alive that will vote in 2019.”

Speaking on the Cattle Colony proposed by the federal government, he said that government have no business doing business pointing that cattle rustling is a business which is not to be imposed on the people.

He called on the government to create an enabling business environment and leave how to run the business to individuals saying that, “a farmer is a farmer. Cattle rearing is farming and there should not be any priority placed on any group of farmers. Imposing cattle herdsmen on the people is not the way forward.

“Every geopolitical zone have it’s own way of farming. If any farmer finds a place habitable, he should negotiate with the owners of the land and if they are satisfied, he can do his business there. Cattle colony will not work.”

Obasi also declared that the people are tired of the strategies being talked about by the military and the police stressing on the need to move beyond strategies to action, “we are tired of hearing the strategies the military and police are bringing to place, we want to see actions in terms of security. ”

He then charged the President to implement the 2014 National Conference report stating that it would proffer a lasting solution to the insecurity issues bedeviling the Nation.

February 3, 2018
Man isn’t playing God with creation of Artificial Intelligence – Prof. Awodele

…Says future children won’t learnt driving

The creation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) – robots, gadgets and other technological tools by scientists is not playing God but innovation meant to improve the lots of man on earth, Prof. Awodele Oludele, has said.

Awodele, a professor of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, said AI mirrors God’s creative acts and having instructed man to have dominion, the call had been heeded with man “creating machines and putting in them man’s image” to think and act accordingly.

The Dean of Computing and Engineering Sciences, Babcock University, Ilishan, Ogun State, who made this known on Thursday while delivering the institution’s 19th Inaugural lecture, urged Nigeria and Africa to embrace AI system lest they be left far behind by other nations of the world.

He noted that AI is helping man in the areas of precision medicine, security, agriculture, automobile, teaching and learning among others.

Read Also: Accenture: Artificial Intelligence, others to boost productivity

Delivering lecture titled; ‘Sensing The Future: From Common Sense To Intelligent Systems,’ he predicted that “children born 20 years from now may never have the need to learn driving when they come of age as cars would be autonomous (self – driven).”

Awodele advised skeptics who still think this may take many years to happen, to readjust their thinking as automated devices, robots and gadgets taking the role of man are already here.

He said “legislation is mostly what remains for auto makers like Tesla to roll – out level 5 self – driven cars.”

According to him, the technology is ready but humanity seems hesitant to embrace it.

He noted that AI is capital intensive but urged Babcock University to establish a laboratory that would spear head research in AI systems.

February 3, 2018