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Tag: Shekarau

  • Students protest school’s ‘ineptitude’ to

    Students protest school’s ‘ineptitude’ to

    Students of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe, have protested the school’s alleged ineptitude to live up to their expectation to Education Minister, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau.

    The minister was the head of an impact assessment tour by the Federal Government and selected state tertiary institutions in Gombe State when the students protested to him.

    The students said there had been no water and power supply in the school for seven days.

    “We have to wake up as early as 4am daily in search of water. There is no light for us to read. You can’t imagine that this is happening in our examination period,” said one of the protesters, who spoke in confidence.

    The minister, who skipped the schedule to address the workers and students due to time constraints, inaugurated a twin-lecture theatre with 500 seats each and the new administrative block , both built through the Tertiary Education Trust (TET) Fund.

    At the Federal University at Kashere (FUK), the minister expressed disappointment at the slow pace of the projects.

    He said most of the projects were supposed to have been completed since last year.

    Shekarau said the Federal Government would improve access to quality education by recruiting diligent workers, training and retraining the teachers and providing quality instructional materials to boost teaching and learning.

    He said: “It involves the provision of workshops, laboratories, lecture theatres, libraries and several other factors that will improve the quality of the delivery of teaching in our various institutions.

    “It is for us to assess the impact made so far in these two areas – increasing assess and improving quality – that we decided to go out and see for ourselves.

    “And from what I have seen here, the increase in assess is certainly on course: lecture halls, theatres, libraries and offices are under construction.

    “Even though we are not satisfied with the level of progress on the construction of these facilities, virtually all the projects on ground are behind schedule. By the contracts awarded, these are projects that ought to have been completed by the end of 2013.

  • ASUU won’t go on strike – Minister

    ASUU won’t go on strike – Minister

    The Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, has said that despite threats of industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU), the union will not embark on any strike soon.

    Shekarau, who spoke on Monday during an impact assessment tour of the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, said there was no problem between ASUU and the Federal Government to warrant another round of strike.

    He, however, claimed that the minor problem between the two parties was information gap.

    “We will continue to apply more and more dialogue to bridge the communication gap between the Federal Government and the ASUU to ensure that there is peace,” Shekarau said.

    He insisted that the issue of funding, which has been a major dispute between the parties, had been resolved.

    He said: “I am sure that any ASUU member that sees what is going on in the tertiary institutions will be surprised. I tell you, some of the institutions, their money is waiting for them and allocations are being made in the last couple of weeks.

    “They are just waiting for due process to be followed for them to access the funds. So, it is not the problem of need, the need has to be accessed. Government is providing the funds and we are releasing the funds gradually.

    “ASUU is part of the implementation committee. So ASUU is following the picture of what is going on and I am sure with that, the days of strike will be over.”

    Shekarau noted that he was happy with the level of work at the Otuoke Federal University, stressing that the government had invested so much in universities across the country through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and the Special Presidential Intervention.

    He commended the management of the institution for the completion of the three-storey female hostel which had since been in disuse.

    But he expressed dismay over the slow pace of the male hostel which was still at 60 per cent completion.

  • No strike, Shekarau promises

    EDUCATION Minister, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau has assured tertiary institutions that there will be no more industrial actions by the various workers’ unions.

    The Minister said this at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka and Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), when he made an impact assessment tour of federal tertiary institutions in Lagos.

    Shekarau said reports by visitation panels which were earlier ignored were being reviewed, promising that the issues they raised would be addressed.

    He said insinuations that the workers unions in polytechnics and colleges of education (Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics [ASUP] and the College of Education Academic Staff Union [COEASU]), would resume their suspended strikes were untrue.

    “The NEEDS assessment reports bothering on staffing, facilities and other issues will be addressed, and once these are addressed, there will be no need for strike,” he said.

    Shekarau said a major focus of his administration is teacher-education.

    “My priority is the restoration of dignity in the teaching profession. I was in the classroom till my retirement. And I hope to be in the classroom till my last day. The quality of education in any country is linked to the quality of the teaching staff. Under my leadership, therefore, teacher-education will be accorded full priority, in line with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan,” he said.

    Addressing the unions at YABATECH, after inaugurating some projects completed by the college, Mallam Shekarau thanked members of the union for believing in him right from his emergence as education minister.

    “I thank the unions for giving us the chance to address the issues of the strike. I wish to assure you that we have gone quite far. In not too distant time, all of these issues will be things of the past,” he said.

     

  • Shekarau and Jonathan’s critics

    SIR:Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau was recently quoted as saying “Some people especially those in the opposition states say this government is not doing anything. They are suffering from spiritual jaundice because whatever the government does, they would not see”.

    As an accomplished and renowned educationist, whatever Shekarau says would readily make an impact on the psyche of the young ones who regard him as a role model. The virtues the minister taught in various schools across the country in the last 40 years should not be destroyed on the altar of political expediency or desire to impress anybody!

    The minister’s statements on politics, economy and social issues would always be subjected to different interpretations. As such, decorum, circumspections should be the watch-word. If not for anything else, the many students he nurtured of which this writer is just one of them deserve something better from their former teacher!

    Among the qualities he always emphasised in school especially during General Assembly at Rumfa College Kano are honesty and dedication, truthfulness and responsibility; exemplary life, and selfless service to humanity.

    So, with due respect and contrary to the minister’s assertion, things are not normal any longer in this country. This so-called spiritual jaundice’, may most likely decimate not only the opposition elements, but entire Nigerian people including many of his former students, who have more than enough justifications to castigate this dangerous government!

    For example, in the education sector alone, the standard has fallen. Quality is no longer sacrosanct. Mass failure in WAEC, NECO and lately law schools have become the order of the day. Poor funding, incessant strikes, cultism and other related afflictions more deadly than the spiritual jaundice, are the order of the day in the education sector under the Jonathan administration.

    Indeed, Nigerians have every reason to malign this government, because of its total reliance on false propaganda and campaign of misinformation and lies.

    Quality of life has degenerated. Poverty of the type never imagined has become our second nature. Government is busy subverting the constitution to suit its whims. And all these, the president doesn’t give a damn!

    Jonathan has failed in the primary responsibility of protection of life and properties of Nigerians. Employment opportunities are not provided. Power has deteriorated despite many promises to that effect. Economic opportunities have been in downward slide. All basic indicators that assure citizens about the existence of a responsive and responsible government are in the red. These are some of the reasons for the current widespread criticism which surprisingly, the minister finds disturbing?

    What we required at this particular time is courage to tell ourselves and the powers-that-be, the truth; that this country is terribly sick, needing urgent medication. It is tottering toward the precipice and all hands must be on deck to salvage it before it’s too late.

     

    • Kabiru Tsakuwa

    Tsakuwa2000@yahoo.com

  • Kwankwaso’s, Shekarau’s men battle for Senate

    Kwankwaso’s, Shekarau’s men battle for Senate

    Correspondent KOLADE ADEYEMI writes on the senatorial ambitions of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gladiators in Kano State and their chances at the polls. 

    All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial aspirants in Kano State are holding consultations with stakeholders in the three districts, ahead of primaries.

    After the shadow polls, the two parties will brace up for the general elections. The proposed senatorial poll is perceived as a popularity test for the two leaders, Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, the arrowhead of the APC,  and his predecessor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, the Minister of Education and leader of the PDP.

    In the recent local government election, the APC had 92 per cent victory. The party is waxing stronger in the Northwest state. But, the PDP is not sleeping on guard.

    Kwankwaso, the founder of the Kwankwasiyya political movement and the leader of the APC   believes that the achievements the state has witnessed in the last three and half years gives him the edge to determine who takes what in the 2015 general elections.

    In a recent interview, the Director of Press and Public Relations to the Governor, Alhaji Halilu Dantiye argued that Kano is 100 per cent an APC state. He cited the party’s victory at the local government elections as an indication of its acceptance by the people. In his words, “the outcome of the last local government elections is a signal that the forthcoming election would follow the same pattern. You see, people are surprised that the APC garnered about 92 per cent, while the other parties shared the remaining eight per cent in terms of party strength. But, we are even surprised that they have up to eight per cent because the people of Kano have embraced the APC.

    “You see, when Governor Kwankwaso mounted the saddle of leadership in 2011, he captured not less than 48 per cent votes on the platform of Kwankwasiyya Movement within the PDP. But, now with the merger— you have remnants of the defunct ANPP led by Bashir Tofa, and 100 per cent of the CPC members led by General Jaafaru Isa, who was a gubernatorial candidate. You also have members of the defunct ACN, led by former Deputy Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Gwarzo, who was equally the party’s gubernatorial candidate in 2011.

    “So, this was what gave the APC 92 per cent in the recent local government election. Going forward, this means that they are going to maintain the 92 per cent, particularly considering the fact that most of the on-going projects would have come on stream before the commencement of the election.  We do not have any problem, as far as Kano is concerned; the 2015 elections at all levels will be in favour of the APC.”

    In the PDP, there is no gainsaying the fact that Shekarau, the immediate past governor of the state, would play a critical role in the party’s quest to bounce back in Kano. The former governor, who left the APC in protest over Kwankwaso’s hard grip on the party, is currently basking in the euphoria of the support he enjoys from the Presidency as one of the most powerful ministers.

    A source said that President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered his men in Kano, including Shekarau, Mohammed Abacha and Aminu Wali, to do everything humanly possible to demystify Kwankwaso and his political movement in next year’s elections. “As I am speaking to you, the President’s men have started lobbying Kano APC members in the National Assembly. Don’t be surprised that very soon, some of them may defect because the Presidency is ready to offer anything to ensure that Kano is taken over by the PDP.”

    The political atmosphere in Kano is now charged with aggressive politicking, with senatorial aspirants making frantic efforts to outsmart one other. Unlike in previous elections, where candidates already knew where the pendulum would swing before the actual balloting, no one can predict the outcome of the 2015 National Assembly elections in Kano. The fact, however, remains that there is an air of uncertainty. The fate of the  candidates seems to be hanging on the balance because  Kwankwaso and the Shekarau factor will certainly determine who gets what in the election.

    It is now apparent that the people of Kano would ultimately decide the composition of their representatives in the Upper Chamber next year, even as those currently occupying the seats are plotting harder to retain it. The Nation  gathered that Senator Ibrahim Kabiru Gaya, from Kano South Senatorial District may succumb to pressures to forgo his governorship ambition and maintain his seat at the Senate.

    Kano politics is not driven by issues, but largely by the personality and financial capacity of the individual candidate. Ironically, party platforms may not play any significant role in determining who wins the election. Sentiments, emotion, and sometimes, frivolities may likely play key roles. The bottom line is that the success or otherwise of any candidate in the National Assembly election may be  predicated upon his ability to win the hearts of the voters. The onus, therefore, rests squarely on the candidates to convince the electorate  that they can deliver on their mandate.

     

    Alhaji Bashir Garba (PDP)

     

    One of the popular gladiators who  fighting for the senatorial soul of Kano Central is Alhaji Bashir Garba, currently representing the district. A cousin to the Nigeria’s late Military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, Garba emerged by defeating former Speaker of the House of Representatives Alhaji Umar Ghali Na’aba in the 2011 PDP primaries. From all indications, Garba, a successful businessman, is the man to beat, because he is believed to be one of the aspirants with deep pockets. His humane disposition and generosity have endeared him to the people.

     

    Senator Bello Gwarzo (Pdp)

     

    Bello Gwarzo is senator representing Kano North on the platform of the PDP. The Senate Chief Whip is seeking to re-election into the Red Chamber. He defeated the  Secretary to the  Government (SSG), Alhaji Rabi’u Suleiman Bichi, to emerged winner at the PDP primaries in 2011. Gwarzo has been in the Senate since 1999. He lost the April 2007 election to Alhaji Aminu Sule Garo of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). But, Garo’s victory was upturned and handed to Gwarzo on the grounds that he tendered fake educational qualifications.

    Gwarzo has served as a member of various Senate committees. He facilitated the construction of the historical Lamba-Kunchi-Kazaure federal road, which gulped over N7.8 billion. Another major project engineered by the Senator was the Watari Irrigation project, which was executed at the cost of N4.2 billion, to serve the communities in his constituency. He has facilitated in electricity projects to the communities the renovation of some schools and the sinking of boreholes. He is the most experienced of the candidates contesting the senatorial seat for Kano North. Besides, it must not be forgotten that Kano North is a traditional stronghold of his party, the PDP, and this could go a long way in handing him another mandate in the Senate.

     

    Senator Kabiru Gaya (APC)

     

    Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya is perhaps the most popular and most formidable candidate in Kano South. Many factors are believed to be in his favour. He is  representing the district and a former governor  in the botched Third Republic. Many believe that he may decide to retain his seat at the Senate.  Gaya has been an active member in the Senate and has been making meaningful contributions to debates at the Upper Chamber. He is the Deputy Minority Whip and a member of several standing Senate committees, a vehicle he used to attract federal presence to his constituency.

     

    Alhaji Usman Alhaji (ApC)

     

    A veteran politician, Alhaji Usman Alhaji is one of founders of the PDP in Kano. He has been in politics since 1978; serving as a member of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the Second Republic. He was also the Secretary-General of the National Republican Convention (NRC) in the Third Republic. He served as the Registrar of Kano State Polytechnic, which was known as the Institute of Higher Education. Later, he became the Commissioner for Education under Kwankwaso’s first tenure.

    Things however started falling apart, as the animosity between him and Kwankwaso deepened, when he and members of one of the defunct factions in the Kano PDP, known as the Garkuwa Group, accused the Kwankwaso-led Kwankwasiyya Group of lack of internal party democracy. This served as compelling factor in his defection from the PDP to the CPC, where he finally found solace.

    As a candidate of the PDP, he lost the Kano South race in 2007  to Senator Gaya of the ANPP. Today, he is going into the race for the third time, but this time under the platform of the APC.

  • Jonathan, Shekarau, others meet over Chibok girls’ WASSCE results

    Jonathan, Shekarau, others meet over Chibok girls’ WASSCE results

    President Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau and three other top government functionaries on Monday held a crucial meeting over the results of students of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

    Over 200 female students of the school were abducted during the West African Examination Council conducted Senior Secondary School examination on April 14.

    The result of that examination has been released.

    The minister, spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Education at the National Assembly, said the meeting was necessitated by the fact that “the outcome of the examination is haphazard.”

    He said, “In fact, by 1pm today (Monday) the President has scheduled a meeting in which I am attending, specifically to address some issues concerning the girls’ education in that troubled zone.

    “In fact by this morning, I got a communication from West African Examinations Council that the result of the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, is out. But we have to look at it via- a -viz the security situation and implication before the formal release. It is right now in my possession.

    “Because when the abduction took place, some remained and completed their examinations, while some were taking exams and they were abducted. So, the result is haphazard. So we’re addressing that this afternoon.

    “This is just for the information of the honourable members. It is also a matter of great concern to us. I’m sure by 1pm, four or five of us will be sitting with the Mr. President to address this issue.”

  • Shekarau to open national education forum

    Shekarau to open national education forum

    Education Minister Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau will open the National Higher Education Forum 2014 on September 22 in Abuja.

    The forum, with the theme: Innovate and Lead, will hold at the International Conference Centre. It is a private sector-driven initiative designed to seek long-term, sustainable solutions to the challenges in Nigeria’s higher education.

    The initiative was articulated by Sojourn Global Services, an idea, innovation and strategy company, in partnership with Tell Communications Limited, the publishers of TELL, Nigeria’s leading, authoritative news magazine.

    Shekarau, who the organisers said has backed the event, will deliver the opening speech and the keynote address at the closing dinner.

    Over 25 of Africa’s global thought leaders are expected to speak at the two-day forum. Those who have confirmed participation include: Webster University’s Chief of Office for Corporate Partnerships and the Dean, George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology at St. Louis, Missouri, United States, Dr. Ola Akande; former Minister of Power, Prof. Bart Nnaji; Dean, Lagos Business School, Dr. Enase Okonedo; Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo-Stan Ekeh; University of Lagos (UNILAG) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Rahamon Bello; Chief Executive Officer, DV Worx, Femi Odugbemi and University of Ibadan (UI) former Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Bamiro, among others.

  • Ajibola congratulates Shekarau

    Ajibola congratulates Shekarau

    A former Attorney-General and Justice Minister, Prince Bola Ajibola, has congratulated the new Minister of Education, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau.

    In a statement by his media aide, Idris Katib, the former minister described Shekarau as a round peg in a round hole.

    He said the former Kano State governor was the type of leader Nigeria needs in the Education sector.

    Ajibola said Shekarau is a lover of education, adding that he would make positive impact on the sector.

    The former Justice Minister hailed Shekarau for resolving the polytechnic teachers’ strike.

    He said: “Alhaji Shekarau is a consummate educationist who can turn things around in the Education sector.”

  • Will Shekarau deliver as Education minister?

    Will Shekarau deliver as Education minister?

    The Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, is known to many in the sector.  He has an impressive resume, rising from being a teacher to a permanent secretary in the Kano State Ministry of Education years before he became governor. With his appointment last week, stakeholders expect him to bring his experience to bear on his new job, report KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE, ADEUGUNLE OLUGBAMILA and KOLADE ADEYEMI.

    Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau is the 45th minister of education.  His appointment is coming at a critical time.  The Federal Government is about implementing its agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU); negotiating with the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) and the National Association of non-Academic Staff Union of Tertiary and Allied Institutions. Other issues are the abduction of  over 200 girls from the Government Secondary School (GSS) in Chibok, Borno State, on April 15; and the number of out-of-school children estimated to be 10.5 million by the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The figure is set to be the highest in the world.

    Following his appointment, stakeholders are expecting changes based on his antecedents as an educationist and achievements as Governor of Kano State between 2003 and 2011.

    Shekarau had his Qu’ranic, primary and secondary education in Kano before studying Mathematics at the Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria , Kaduna State in 1977.

    After one year as a teacher, he was made a principal in 1979.  He served as Deputy Director of Education in the Kano State Ministry of Education (1992), Director (1993), and Permanent Secretary (1995). He also headed different departments in the Ministry of Water Resources, Office of the Secretary to the State Government and the Civil Service Commission.

    When he became governor in 2003, Shekarau is credited to have removed Kano State from the list of Educationally Less Developed (ELD) states through the provision of instructional materials, infrastructure and manpower to schools and scholarships for 33,000 undergraduates studying in various institutions nationwide.

    Kano before 2003 had 3,421 primary schools, 20,526 classrooms, 1, 026,300 pupils with 22,084 teachers.  After Shekarau came in, enrolment improved by 80 per cent. The Shekarau government also established additional 364 primary and 241 secondary schools.

    Mallam Musa Salihu, who worked as the Kano State Commissioner for Education during Shekarau’s tenure as governor (2007- 2011), said the new minister was aware of the issues in the sector and addressed them squarely.

    As minister, Salihu said Shekarau needs to address the challenge of teacher quality.

    He said: “Today in Nigeria, the general problem is how to produce devoted and committed teachers, it is very unfortunate that the old teachers college were scrapped.  Those who did it did not know the importance of the programme.  Today when you enroll young ones into teaching profession, most of them do not have interest because the foundation was not there. So the new minister has to address how we can have a regular flow of competent and  qualified teachers, so that at the end, we can achieve the benefit and to also tackle the issue urgently by taking  drastic action.”

    Mallam Musa Salihu  also said Shekarau should also intervene with private schools, which, he said, are exploiting parents with high fees.  He advocates they should be assessed regularly, while the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) should establish harmonious working environment between the government and the private sector.

    Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Education, Prof Offiong E. Offiong, said Shekarau should endeavour to carry all states along when implementing policies to ensure success.

    “There is need to carry all states along in ensuring total and holistic transformation,” he said.

    Offiong also said Nigeria should settle the out-of-school problem once and for all by conducting its own investigation.

    “The out-of-Sschool phenomenon should be tackled. Also there is lack of reliable data. For instance 10.6 million Nigerians out of school is speculative. This has been a problem facing the sector. There is need to address this. We need to get the data. This has led to the inability to accommodate all in our efforts to give Nigerian children qualitative education,” he said.

    Executive Secretary, Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), Mr Olawumi Gasper, urges the minister to spare some thought for Technical and Vocational Education (TVE).   He described as erroneous, the present focus on tertiary education and advocates that the education environment be configured to support innovations.

    However, for TVE to succeed, Gasper said that the Federal Government should strengthen basic education.

    “We are focusing too much on tertiary education, which is unnecessary.  University graduates will not create jobs.  Job creation will come from young boys with brilliant ideas.  That is why we need to strengthen basic education.  Basic education needs attention.  That is the bedrock of education.  Once we get it right, everything will follow,” he said.

    Regarding the polytechnics, the National ASUP President, Dr Chibuzor Asomugha, said though the union has though suspended its 11-month old strike, members expect Shekarau to address their grievances without delay.

    The demands of the union that led to the strike include:  an end to the discrimination against polytechnic graduates in the public service and in the labour market;  release of the White Paper on the Visitations to Federal Polytechnics; implementation of CONTISS 15 migration for the Lower cadres and its arrears as from 2009; establishment of a National Polytechnics Commission (NPC)  as a regulatory body for Polytechnics.

    Others are: review of the Polytechnic Act; improved  funding of the Polytechnic sub-sector and equitable disbursements of TETfund grants among universities, polytechnics and colleges of education; appointments of qualified persons only from the polytechnic sector as rectors and provost of polytechnics, monotechnics and college of technologies, implementation of 65-year retirement age for lecturers in polytechnics, monotechnics and college of technologies, and the re-negotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUP Agreement as agreed.

    Though Asomugha is not optimistic much can be achieved by Shekarau considering the little time left before the end of the current administration, nonetheless, Asomugha said ASUP expects him to lay a solid foundation for his successor to build on.

    He said: “It will be unrealistic to expect too much from the minister considering the brief period that he has before the end of his regime. Factor is also the enormous responsibility he is faced with in the education sector.

    “It will be reasonable for him to try and lay solid foundations for Nigeria education, a practicable roadmap, devoid of cosmetics of the past, especially with regards to technical and vocational education. So far he has shown satisfactory understanding of the critical importance of technical and vocational education and has pledged to give it requisite attention. It will be necessary for him to involve critical on-ground operators of the system in fashioning out a sustainable platform for raising standards in our polytechnics.”

    The National President College of Education Acacdemic Staff Union (COEASU) said Shekarau’s pedigree makes him look promising but warned him not to negatively influenced.

    “He looks promising. From his background, he appears to be having a listening ear, and like the kind who will approach issues without bias. But my fear is if he will not allow himself to be influenced by those bad eggs in the ministry,” he said.

    The Southwest Coordinator, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Dr Adeshola Nasir, said Shekarau should convene an education summit where challenges in the sector would be addressed.

    “It is not only about understanding the sector, but being able to implement sound education programmes in Nigeria.  ASUU has repeatedly said education is declining with respect to poor funding, poor infrastructures and all that, and that government should call education summit involving stakeholders that will harvest opinions that will launch Nigeria among the comity of nations. Government needs not wait any further. The time to act is now and any positions arising there from should be passed by the new minister to government for onward implementation,” Nasir said.

    On his part, the first National Vice-President, All Nigerian Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Mr Abayomi Adegunle, feels Shekarau’s designations as a technocrat and former governor would help him ward off any likely challenges from the ministry or any pollutants.

    He urged Shekarau to see to the passage of the  Secondary School Commission bill.

    He said: “He is a well grounded principal. He was also a former national president of ANCOPSS for four years. So he knows the rudiment of education because he has passed through the stages, Adegunle contended.

    “However, we expect him to press for the actualisation of the Secondary School Commission bill which is before the National Assembly. He should also ensure that professionalism among teachers in both primary and secondary school nationwide is henceforth more practical-oriented that theoretical. Above all, the he should ensure the implementation of the 27.5 Teachers Salary Scheme.”

  • Commissioners welcome Shekarau

    Commissioners welcome Shekarau

    The Commissioners for Education in the country have felicitated with the Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekerau, on his appointment.

    A statement signed by the chairman of the State Commissioners of Education Forum in Nigeria, Prof Offiong Offiong, said the appointment did not come as a surprise having watched his performance as governor of Kano State.

    Offiong, who is the Cross River Education Commissioner, said the forum has no doubt that his antecedents as a teacher and one time permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education informed his appointment.

    “The States Commissioners of Education Forum therefore assures the  minister of maximum cooperation and support towards the development of the nation’s education sector as well as Mr President’s transformation agenda.

    The forum will continue to provide a platform for synergy between the federal and states Ministries of Education for the overall development of the sector,” he said.