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Tag: TETFUND

  • TETFund moves to eradicate hitches in project execution

    TETFund moves to eradicate hitches in project execution

    The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has intensified efforts to remove bottlenecks hindering execution of projects in tertiary institutions.

    To actualise its mandate, TETFund said its desk officers of the beneficiary institutions must be equipped and knowledgeable about its operational guidelines.

    Executive Secretary, TETFund, Sonny Echono, spoke at a two-day TETFund desk officers’ workshop titled: ‘Improving TETFund Intervention Programmes and Processes in Tertiary Institutions’, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday.

    Echono, represented by TETFund Zonal Coordinator, Southsouth, Aminu Dumburi, highlighted the significant roles of desk officers in the conception, reconciliation and implementation of the Fund’s programmes and process.

    He said the workshop was designed to enable stakeholders attain transparency and effectiveness in accessing TETFund interventions.

    Read Also: Insecurity: TETFund releases N550m to Kaduna college

    He added: “You are the critical interface or intermediary between the Fund and your chief executives, who are the accounting officers of the intervention allocations. The significance of this workshop can, therefore, not be overemphasised.”

    “It becomes even more glaring when we consider the synergy and continuous interaction needed between the Fund and your institutions, as reflected in the frequency of submissions and communications we have with your institutions on a daily basis.

    “I hope the essence of this workshop, which is to engage, dialogue, discuss and challenge us on ways in which we will improve in our operations and smoothen the process of accessing interventions and their implementation by our beneficiary institutions is realised.”

    Echono said desk officers remained the interface between the beneficiary institutions and the Fund regarding activities and interventions from the beginning to the end of the project.

    Said he: “The desk officers are responsible for the day-to-day operations that exist between the Fund and the institutions and are, therefore, positioned strategically to perform tasks and functions that require that they are fully informed on the nature and methods of TETFund operations always. As a result, the desk officers of our institutions are expected to be fully equipped and knowledgeable about our guidelines and mandate.

    “This workshop is expected to bridge the gaps between the Fund and our beneficiary institutions regarding our procedures and processes with regards to our intervention lines.

    “There shall be presentations by the departments of the Fund that process and reconcile these intervention lines. These presentations shall update us about new policies or changes in our operations or personnel where necessary.

    “It is my hope that at the end of the workshop, the heads of our public tertiary institutions and desk officers will be equipped with the knowledge of the relevant guidelines, procedures and processes of the Fund.”

  • ‘Most tertiary institutions not conversant with TETFund’s operations’

    ‘Most tertiary institutions not conversant with TETFund’s operations’

    • Echono promises speedy completion of projects

    The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, has said most tertiary institutions across the country lack relevant guidelines, procedures, and processes for accessing the fund. 

    Echono spoke in Owerri, the Imo State capital, during the opening ceremony of a two-day workshop organised by TETFund for its desk officers in the Southeast. 

    He said: “Most officials of our public tertiary institutions are not fully conversant with laid down procedures, standards, and processes with regard to the award and execution of public procurement in line with the Act. 

    “Such ignorance, many times, has led to avoidable problems that hinder the smooth and timely execution of TETFund intervention projects in tertiary institutions across the country.”

    Read Also: Tinubu celebrates Zulum at 54

     The TETFund executive secretary said the workshop was organised to enable heads of tertiary institutions and TETFund desk officers familiarise with the fund’s operations, standards, and benchmarks.

     He said these would also enable them to attain transparency and effectiveness in accessing TETFund’s interventions.

     Echono, who was represented by the Director of Strategic Planning and Development Department of the fund, Erivwo Inene, spoke on the topic: Improving TETFund Intervention Programmes and Processes in Beneficiary Institutions.

     The TETFund boss noted that the desk officers of the fund’s various intervention lines would be able to play a significant role in the conception, reconciliation and implementation of the fund’s programmes and processes with the knowledge they acquire at the workshop.

     He said the workshop was also aimed at engaging with the fund and discussing how to improve its operations and smoothen the process of accessing interventions and their implementation by beneficiary institutions.

     “You are the critical intermediary between the fund and your chief executives, who are the accounting officers of the intervention allocations.

     “This workshop is, therefore, expected to bridge the gap between the fund and our beneficiary institutions regarding our procedures and processes with regard to all our intervention lines,” he said.

     Also, TETFund has reiterated its commitment to the speedy completion of its physical infrastructure interventions in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

     Echono gave the assurance at the workshop in Owerri.

     He said the fund had taken proactive steps to address issues related to distressed projects in higher institutions.

     The TETFund boss said the fund does this by revisiting its audit process and implementing a robust monitoring and evaluation policy.

     Echono urged the desk heads to utilise the workshop to discuss issues affecting their various institutions and the fund’s intervention lines.

  • Auchi Poly sanctions 27 staff for misconduct

    Management of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, said it has sanctioned 27 staff for gross misconduct.

    It said the affected staff engaged in sex for marks, money for marks and other unethical practices.

    Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Momodu Sanusi Jimah, who stated this at the 25th convocation ceremony of the institution said the sanctioned staff thought such unethical vices were now a way of life.

    Dr. Jimah said 11 of the affected staff were dismissed, appointment of six were terminated while 10 others were downgraded.

    Jimah said an additional 250 staff were recruited to strengthen staffing capacity of the institution to deliver effectively and efficiently on its academic and support services.

    He stated that the institution has enhanced its staff development policy by sponsoring staff to acqurie higher degree through the TETFUND interventions.

    Chairman, Governing Council of the institution, Olarewaju Oloyo, who was represented by Prince Felix Oba Okojie, said unethical conduct of some staff would no longer be tolerated.

    Oloyo urged the Federal Government to consider allocation of special grant to the institution to enable it replace all instructional materials and equipment.

    A total of 28,325 graduands of the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 were presented with the award of Post Higher Graduate Diploma, Higher National Diploma and National Diploma.

  • FG is committed to making education affordable, says Buhari

    … Says functional education will reduce crisis in the country

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said the Federal Government is committed to making education affordable to youth of the country through the open and distance learning system (ODL).He said this at the 8th convocation ceremony of the National Open University of Nigeria, on Saturday, in Abuja.

    The president also said his government would continue to deplore the necessary resources and facilities through direct budgetary funding and the tertiary education trust fund () interventions in order to ensure that provision of quality tertiary education is guaranteed to the youth.

    Buhari, who was the visitor to the university, was represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) Barr. Victor Onuoha, at the occasion.

    He attributed the root cause of crisis recorded in the past in the country to ignorance, saying that his government hopes to put an end to it through functional education. The President said: “It is of common knowledge that the root cause of most of the recorded crisis of nationhood that we recorded in Nigeria are as a result of ignorance which we hope can be abated through functional education.

    “This is why the federal government of Nigeria is more than ever before, committed to making education affordable through the open and distance learning system. In this connection, therefore, the national policies on education have provided for lifelong learning that transcends all barriers through open and distance learning.

    “As a government, we reiterate our commitment to continue to deplore, the necessary resources and facilities through direct budgetary funding, TETFund interventions and the NEEDS assessment funding to ensure that provision of quality tertiary education is guaranteed to our teeming youth.

    READ ALSO: Buhari’s ministers in intense lobbying

    “The president commended NOUN for expending access to higher education for Nigerians. Buhari added that the government would strengthen the ODL system of NOUN in order to meet its target of expanding access to tertiary education.

    “It is gratifying to note that NOUN continues to record successes at the national level by expanding access to higher education as well as making it affordable. In this regard, the national open university of Nigeria has carved a niche for itself both nationally and internationally.

    “The open and distance learning institution (ODL) will therefore be strengthened to take the lead in this desired direction’” the president said. In his remarks, NOUN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdalla Adamu, said that 20, 799 graduated from the university.

    He explained that the massive increase in the number of graduates of the university was as a result of the confidence Nigerians have placed on the efficacy of the ODL system. According to him, the university awarded 103 First Class degrees to the graduating students.

    Bala Salhu Magaji of the department of Islamic Studies emerged the overall best graduating student at the occasion.

  • TETFund partners U.S on scholarships for academics

    The United States of America (U.S.A) is to partner Nigeria in building the capacity of academics in the nation’s universities through its Fulbright’s Scholarship Programme.

    The Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, broke the news when he hosted the Cultural Affairs Officer of the U.S. in Nigeria, Mr Sterling Tilley, in his office in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    A statement by TETFund’s Director, Public Affairs, Dr Jacob Alada, said the visit was to further strengthen the existing relations between the U.S Embassy and TETFund.

    He said the U.S. would partner through the Fulbright’s Scholarship Programme and the TETFund Academic Staff Scholarship programme.

    The statement reads: “Academic workers of Nigeria’s universities are supported by both the TETFund and U.S. Government to undertake their Masters and PhD. programmes in the U.S. at a cost to be shared.

    “Furthermore, TETFund scholars, who are undertaking their PhDs in science-related fields in Nigeria could also benefit by being jointly sponsored by TETFund and the U.S Government to undertake their Bench work in universities and rResearch centres or institutes in the U.S.

    “This process, which started in 2015 with Prof. Bogoro, if concluded, will further justify the confidence the U.S Government has in the fund as one of the foremost agencies of government in Nigeria.”

    Bogoro said the visit and the desire to revive discussions on the partnership came at a right time.

    He added that it would increase the number of participants seeking to further their studies at the Masters and PhD levels as well as those undertaking their Bench work in America’s universities or research institutes/centres.

    “It should be noted that scholars on this partnership will enjoy the full status of both TETFund and Fulbright Scholars and other opportunities available after the completion of their programmes.

    “The Fulbright Programme is sponsored by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, under world-wide policy guidelines established by the Fulbright Board,” the statement added.

  • TETFund: an account of excellent stewardship under Baffa

    I can bet that not many know about the core responsibilities of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), especially those outside the academia. But for the academics, TETFund has remained a life saver with its numerous interventions. TETFund as an agency is championing a more improved infrastructural and educational development in our Ivory towers.
    As a start, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) was established as an intervention agency under the TETFund ACT – Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act, 2011; charged with the responsibility for managing, disbursing and monitoring the education tax to public tertiary institutions in Nigeria. TETFund ensures that funds generated from education tax are utilized to improve the quality of education in Nigeria. This much it has engaged in, but this time around, with so much vigour.
    As an academic, I am one of those that were of the opinion that the interventions of TETFund in public universities have been phenomenal given its strategic importance on the development of critical human and physical infrastructures. I must add that for the years I have been in the academia, I haven’t seen such a time as now where TETFund has been proactively and aggressively churning out interventions that have positive impacts in ways too numerous to mention.

    Read Also:TETFund adds 14 new institutions to its intervention list

    I wasn’t surprised, to say the least for the fact that I knew Dr. Abdullahi Bichi-Baffa, the Executive Secretary way back in my days in Bayero University Kano as a doctoral student. I interacted with him on some issues, and I must add that his profound insights into the challenges confronting public universities then were astonishing. He displayed such aura of a core administrator with a penchant for thinking outside the box. So in a way, I wasn’t surprised by his exploits at TETFund.
    Take it or leave it, Dr. Baffa-Bichi is not that conservative chap that limited his horizon to the four walls of the classrooms alone. He is such a chap that is innovative and never afraid to take a risk. His intellectual abilities resonate whenever he engages in conversations. He is daring and always ready to go. Little wonder on how he has transformed the operations of TETFund in less than three years? I will give an example of one of his innovative approaches.
    In 2018 alone, TETFund completed 189 physical infrastructure projects in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country. It also granted a total of 3247 scholarships to Nigerian lecturers for masters and Ph.D. programmes in Nigerian and foreign universities. It also established National Research Laboratories to serve as centres for specialized research in various parts of the country. That is the quintessential Dr. Baffa-Bichi
    Let me also state this. Dr. Abdullahi Baffa-Bichi is one hell of a control freak. His is such that nothing but the best must be done. His style of administration is one that is so transparent that it has endeared him to the hearts of the workers of the organization. This much he tells anyone that cares to listen. He often would say that as a leader, one must be transparent and accountable to the public trust. This much was confirmed by the Presidential Action Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), headed by Prof, Itse Sagay, when it recently applauded the management of TETFund for the level of transparency and accountability it has applied to the day-to-day running of the organization.
    What does this tell us? It says a lot about the strength of character of Dr. Abdullahi Baffa-Bichi and resolve to dispense quality services in his place of national assignment. Some reading might be wondering why I am all over town heaping praises on him. The reason is that, through the intervention of TETFund, physical infrastructures in public universities has improved tremendously. Also, the quality of human resources has also improved through sponsorship programmes for masters and PhDs, as well as international conferences and seminars that have exposed most university lecturers a great deal.
    In some quarters, it has been stated the coming of Dr. Baffa-Bichi indeed saved the Fund from an imminent disaster with the activities of middlemen between TETFund and beneficiaries. And also the fact that now, all TETFund projects are closely monitored for quality assurance purposes, is an indication of accountability and service delivery.
    The story of Dr. Abdullahi Baffa-Bichi and his exploits at TETFund can’t be told in a day, as a fact, it can come on a documentary titled the “silent upbeat in TETFund.” In my opinion, the likes of Dr. Abdulahi Baffa-Bichi are rare, and if a fraction of public office holders displays such commitment to duty, Nigeria would indeed be a better place.  The TETFund story is one worthy of emulation. It can be termed an amalgamation of purpose, drive, commitment, sincerity, and capacity.
    And I think he deserves all the encouragements he can get to continue to deliver the best at TETFund. This much he is receiving from the academia already. But the larger community needs to join the fray because we are all involved in one way of the other.
    Agbese wrote from the United Kingdom.

  • TETFUND boss: Nigeria to become 14th best economy in 2050

    NIGERIA is on the threshold of becoming the 14th best economy in the world as indices of growth are showing, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) Executive Secretary Dr. Abdullahi Baffa Bichi said yesterday.

    Bichi, who stated this during an interactive session with members of the Buhari Support Political Group, One 2 Tell 10 in Kano yesterday, said the prediction was informed by the sound and excellent economic policy introduced by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    He said a report released by a multinational professional services network, PWC, indicated that Nigeria will be the 14th biggest economy in the world in 2050.

    According to him, the report, titled: “The World in 2050”, attributed this to the economic revolution embarked upon by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He said the country’s economy is on a sound footing, as evident by the stability in the business and investment environment.

    Bichi hailed the President for his sound economic policies and initiatives, which were responsible for the country’s exit from recession within just two years, as certified by the major financial players in the world, such as International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and others.

    He noted that if not for the prudent management of resources by the administration, Nigeria would have been in a serious economic crisis.

    Bichi, who is the director-general of the One 2 Tell 10 movement, explained that getting out of recession was by no means a great achievement, which should make the  Nigerian electorate to renew their mandate to the government.

    Hailing the group for their steadfastness and commitment to ensuring the success of the APC administration,  he said Nigerians would soon be among the best economies in the world, if these policies are sustained, urging them to redouble efforts in their campaign for the success of Buhari-led APC in 2019.

    He added that the citizens were now wiser, having seen and appreciated Buhari’s good work, noting that supporting the President to secure a second mandate in 2019 would go a long way to fortify the country and launch it among the comity of advanced nations.

    The group’s chairman, Yuguda Abdulazeez, assured that its members were ready to ensure the success of President Buhari and the APC candidates in the 2019 elections.

    He said Nigeria was in a safe hand with Buhari at the helm of affairs, noting that only the corrupt and bad elements would wage war against Buhari’s re-election.

    About 16 campaign vehicles donated to the group’s campaign offices by an anonymous supporter of the President were presented at the event.

  • Senate endorses establishment of ten higher institutions

    The Senate on Wednesday adopted the report of its committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund for the establishment of 10 higher institutions in parts of the country.

    The upper chamber agreed that the establishment of the institutions would go a long way to open up the education space in the country as well as assist the country to fight illiteracy.

    The Senate also said that the approval of the establishment of the institutions was in line with the policy to establish polytechnics across the states.

    Chairman of the committee, Senator Jibrin Barau, presented the report of the consideration of requests for the establishment of the institutions.

    Read Also: Senate to accelerate amendment of NDIC Act

    The approved institutions included Federal Polytechnic, Kabo; Federal Polytechnic Daura; Federal University of Education, Aguleri; National Institute of Construction Technology and Management and Federal Polytechnic Ikom.

    Others also approved included Federal College of Education(Technical) Arochukwu, Abia State, sponsored by Senator Mao Ohuabunwa; Federal Polytechnic Langtang, Plateau State, Federal College of Education, Usugbenu-Irua; Federal University of Technology, Manchok and Federal Polytechnic Kwale, Delta State.

  • NANS to embark on nationwide assessment tour of tertiary institutions

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) said on Friday that it would soon embark on a nationwide assessment tour of tertiary institutions in the country.

    The National President, NANS, Danielson Bamidele, disclosed this in an interview  in Abuja on Friday.

    Bamidele said that the tour became necessary in view of the poor state of infrastructure in tertiary institutions across the country.

    “We feel that government needs to do more.

    “In fact we are going to embark on campus tour to document all those dilapidated structures that TETFund has failed to do with the huge sum of money given to them over the years.

    “We are documenting all those things. We have a committee working on it  headed by myself, we are going to move round and ascertain all these things and even present it for you to see that  the state of structures of our campuses are quite dilapidated.

    “With Kick backs here and there, people give with one hand and collect with left hand,  until we meet  with TETFund  and push this issues to them.

    “And maybe after our nationwide tour then we will be able to address properly,’’ he said.

    On the increase of tuition fees by some tertiary institutions, Bamidele urged the government to address the issue to reduce the burden already felt by parents and guardians.

    Read Also: University Professor commits suicide in Makurdi

    “If you go to the various institutions in this country you see tuition been increased from even N30 N35, 000 to as high as N250,000 to N300,000.

    “I give you example of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akumba Akoko, I will give you an example of University of Medical Sciences in Ondo town.

    “One just happened recently in Rivers states University of Science and Technology and it took our intervention to claim that they did not but that was what they were actually doing.

    “They even went as far as threatening some of our members until I was involved before they said they were not increasing and this is  something that has been persistent.,

    “And off course this is something we feel that the minimum wage that is been paid is not even enough even the one we are agitating that they should increase is not even enough to pay the school fees of a child and yet we have parents who have two three children in tertiary institutions.

    “What do you expect them to do? So we feel that t is outrageous and they should off course help us acquire education instead of making every frantic attempt to keep us in illiteracy,’’ he added.

    NAN

  • 103 Student bag first class in Unilorin

    The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor  Sulyman Abdulkareem, on Friday said that the university produced 103 first class students in 2017/2018 academic session.

    Abdulkareem announced the figure in Ilorin at a press conference to mark the beginning of the 34th convocation ceremonies of the university.

    According to him, the university will graduate a total of 12,108 students at the convocation to take place on Tuesday.

    He said that 10, 330 would be awarded first degrees and diplomas, while 1, 778 would be awarded higher degrees and postgraduate diplomas.

    The vice-chancellor said that 2,553 students would graduate with second class (upper division), 5,750, second class (lower division), and 1,660, third class, while 36 would graduate with pass.

    He said that seven law students from the university made first class grade in the Nigerian Law School, Abuja.

    Read Also: US envoy for UNILORIN’s 34th convocation lecture

    Abdulkareem hailed the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for supporting the university’s efforts in capacity building.

    “The university, through the Centre for International Education’s facilitation, attracted over N16 million as TETFund grants to sponsor staff members to different parts of the world for international conferences,” he said.

    He added that the university was noted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board as the Nigerian university with the highest number of international student enrollment, with about 318 foreign students from 15 countries.

    The vice chancellor said that the university had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian Army on the invention and development of polymer composite for strategic and protective defence.

    He disclosed that the university invented a bullet-proof gadget which had been tested and accepted by the Nigerian Army.