The Nation Newspaper

Tag: tinubu

  • G20 CwA Summit: Highly-skilled, industrious population, our biggest advantage, Tinubu tells investors

    G20 CwA Summit: Highly-skilled, industrious population, our biggest advantage, Tinubu tells investors

    President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, November 20, told international investors that beyond natural resources, Nigeria’s greatest assets are its highly educated, highly skilled, and naturally industrious people.

    President Tinubu spoke in Berlin, Germany, at a panel discussion titled: “Fostering Local Value Chains and Investments in Africa – The Role of the German Private Sector” at the G20 Compact with Africa Economic Conference, hosted by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

    According to a statement issued by his special adviser on media and publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the president said these human assets set Nigeria ahead of other nations in the global race for new investments.

    He further disclosed to the investors that Nigeria is ripe for new investments, noting that the country now possesses all the ingredients required for the making of a modern economy, including its educationally equipped population, a huge market, and an administration with the political will to harness all the factors to create the required environment.

    The president noted that while promoting the rule of law is crucial for attracting foreign investments, Nigeria’s energetic youth population and well-educated populace represent the greatest incentive provided to investors toward the mutually beneficial replication of China’s economic resurgence.

    The president confidently affirmed: “We are dogged in our pursuit of natural gas development today, in tandem with hydrogen production for tomorrow. The world knows Nigeria as a leader in the energy sector. Our vast gas deposits and business-friendly environment make us an attractive investment destination. But we are going a step further now. We are creating fiscal responsibility and tax reforms as we reform our financial institutions to expeditiously accommodate foreign investments.

    ”We are eager and ready to partner with you. We have the youngest, largest, and most vibrant youth population in Africa. Equally, we have every ingredient required in the making of a modern economy: a well-educated population, a massive market, and the political will to bring it all together under my leadership.

    “Africa has moved beyond the false past notions of business disincentivization and poor adherence to the rule of law. We now fully recognize the nexus between the inflow of investor money and the sanctity of contracts. We want to partner on the basis of who we are and what we do, rather than on the basis of long-held misconception.”

    President Tinubu apprised the summit of the country’s intentional move toward developing labour-intensive sectors of the Nigerian economy for massive job creation as well as a new emphasis on technological progress and new opportunities in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding information and communications technology space.

    The president assured potential investors that Nigeria has moved beyond restrictive policies, and today, capital can be moved in and out of the country freely, providing flexibility for investors.

    “Nigeria has consolidated its democracy with several consecutive handovers of power. There is stability and predictability in the socio-political development of our country, which provides a conducive atmosphere for business operations and investment.

    “Your money is safe. Since I assumed office in May 2023, we have embarked on transformative changes, removing all obstacles hindering businesses. We are reforming the economy based on the principle and philosophy of good governance.”

    While persuading German automobile firms to establish manufacturing plants in Nigeria, he invited German businesses to take advantage of investment opportunities in multiple sectors following the successful visit of the German Chancellor to Nigeria in October.

    Read Also; Tinubu expresses concern about brain drain of medical professionals

    Speaking earlier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz noted the dynamic and evolving nature of economic relations between the developed and developing nations of the world as he positions Germany to enhance partnership with Nigeria and Africa on a mutually beneficial basis.

    The Chancellor stated: “To be clear, this is not about traditional development aid with donor-recipient schemes. Instead, we now focus on investments that yield benefits for both parties. In Germany, as we strive for climate neutrality by 2045, we anticipate a substantial demand for green hydrogen, a considerable portion of which we plan to import, including from Africa.

    “Many African countries possess larger potentials for renewable energy and competitive hydrogen production than we do. I am convinced that there are fantastic opportunities for expanding cooperation between German and African companies in this context.

    “I highlighted this during my visit to Nigeria, where we already operate a hydrogen office and aspire to be a partner in the ambitious expansion of renewable energies.”

    Also speaking on the panel, the President of Cote D’Ivoire Alassane Ouattara, said if Nigeria succeeds, entire West Africa will thrive, he emphasized the need for trade partnerships among African countries.

    Ouattara appealed to German enterprises to step ahead in terms of training locals of partnering African countries to advance production content.

    President of Senegal, Macky Sall, stressed the place of working hand in hand with Europe, saying Africa is ready to do business with Germany and the rest of the European countries.

    He called for increasing access to the increasingly global market to advance the African continent.

    CEO of Siemens Sub-Saharan Africa, Sabine Dall’ Omo, said Africa provides the opportunity to invest and develop new technologies.

    She added that working with Africa will proffer solutions to most challenges facing the EU in the area of climate change.

    Sabine Dall’ added: “We will continue to be in Africa and we will make sure modern technology in infrastructure, rail, road, water, health and are available to change Africa’s outlook.”

    Other panelists at the discussion were the German Federal Chancellor, Olaf Scholz; President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire; Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch of Morocco; President Macky Sall of Senegal; Sabine Dall’Omo, Chairperson of Afrika-Verein (German-African Business Association); and CEO of Sub-Saharan Africa, Siemens AG.

    President Bola Tinubu hosts notable German Business Chief Executives at a Nigeria-Germany Business Roundtable in Berlin, Germany, on Tuesday.

  • Tinubu expresses concern about brain drain of medical professionals

    Tinubu expresses concern about brain drain of medical professionals

    The special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on public health matters, Salma Anas, said the president is worried about the brain drain of medical professionals in the country.

    She said the present administration is determined to reverse the Japa syndrome in the medical field in the country and retain the country’s professionals.

    Anas said this in Abuja at the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria 2023 conferences.

    She said: “Mr President is worried about the Japa syndrome which we inherited from the previous administration, part of our commitment is to see that we reverse that tourism and also that we sustain and retain our medical experts in Nigeria, not just through salaries and allowances but the working environment.

    “They need to have a conducive and state-of-the-art working environment and that is what the government is trying to do at all levels and not just tertiary health institutions but the primary health level of care.

    “Apart from that we are making efforts to improve the production of health workers in the country because they are grossly inadequate, in all the fields not just laboratory science, but also medical, nursing, and midwifery professions.

    Read Also: NBS targets improved statistical system for Nigeria

    “So if you look at the relationship between medical workers and the population, it is grossly inadequate so we are looking at ways to increase the capacity of those not just in the public but private sector as well.”

    The association said the body in collaboration with the medical laboratory science of Nigeria has shut down numerous numbers of unregistered laboratories to reduce misdiagnosis and other illegal activities that are affecting the image of the profession across the country.

    The 2023 Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria’s conference themed, ‘Universal Health Coverage: the Medical Laboratories Priority in Nigeria is aimed at tackling challenges confronting the sector, brainstorming and implementing ideas adopted at the end of the event to reduce the growing trend of japa syndrome, improve on better working condition and to begin the process of manufacturing equipment and other Needed essential medical items in Nigeria.

  • G20 Summit: Again, Tinubu entices foreign investors with juicy business environment in Nigeria

    G20 Summit: Again, Tinubu entices foreign investors with juicy business environment in Nigeria

    President Bola Tinubu, again in Berlin, Germany, assured international investors that Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, is a secured destination for their investments.

    President Tinubu gave the reassurance on Monday, November 20, while speaking as a participant in a panel discussion on fostering local value chains and investments in Africa, at the 4th G20 Investment Summit.

    President Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s stable democracy since 1999 and ongoing economic reforms, making a compelling case for it as a prime business destination.

    Read Also; Review IPPIS like 40% IGR deductions, COEASU begs Tinubu

    While acknowledging challenges, he, however, gave an assurance of a commitment to providing a conducive environment for investment.

    The president also emphasized opportunities in public sectors such as energy, digitalization, telecommunications, and agriculture.

    Details shortly…

  • Review IPPIS like 40% IGR deductions, COEASU begs Tinubu

    Review IPPIS like 40% IGR deductions, COEASU begs Tinubu

    The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) has hailed President Bola Tinubu for cancelling the policy directing tertiary institutions to remit 40 per cent of their Internally Generated Revenue to the national treasury, saying it shows he has a listening ears.

    President of COEASU, Smart Olugbeko, in a statement on Monday, November 20, in Abuja, urged the federal government to also review the centralisation of payroll administration through the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

    He lamented that the policy undermined the statutory functions of the Governing Councils, and breached the establishment integrity of the tertiary education sector in general and the Colleges of Education system in particular.

    According to Olugbeko, IPPIS has become a means of defrauding COEASU members as there are thousands of cases of short-payment, outright non-payment, unlawful delay and/or withholding of third-party deductions.

    The statement said: “We urge President Bola Tinubu to revisit the issue of IPPIS in the interest of justice and industrial harmony.”

    Read Also: Wizkid expresses desire to pursue career in acting

    Reacting to the suspension of the 40% IGR, the Union said it received with immense satisfaction the decision of the President to suspend the “backward policy directing tertiary institutions including Colleges of Education to start remitting 40% of a non-existent IGR to the federal treasury.”

    The statement added: “While we knew absolutely that the policy would not stand as we were poised to resist it with all legitimate powers we possess as a Trade Union in the sector, we must acknowledge the sense of good reason, listening disposition, democratic ethos and responsible leadership shown by Mr. President in suspending the policy without allowing the situation to degenerate into an unnecessary face-off between labour and Government.

    “We therefore commend Mr. President for his sensitivity and amiability on the matter. With this gesture of Mr. President, it seems to us that our Union has eventually found a Government that is compatible in disposition to our Union towards an alternative dispute resolution approach through constructive engagement, social dialogue and proactive bargaining characterized by mutual respect and pliability to superior logic.

    “Nonetheless, we urge the President to go a step further by deploying this promising disposition to urgently address the challenges of funding in the College of Education system and other tiers of the tertiary education sector altogether.

    “We call on Mr. President to always ensure that issues raised by labour are proactively dealt with through social dialogue and collective bargaining. By doing so, we can together ensure industrial tranquillity and an uninterrupted academic calendar in our institutions.

    “For example, the centralization of payroll administration through the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) undermines the statutory functions of the Governing Councils, and breaches the establishment integrity of the tertiary education sector in general and the College of Education system in particular.

    “It opens the payroll up to unilateral manipulations and all manners of fraud beyond the control of the management of our institutions. It has eroded the power and authority of Provosts and Governing Councils to employ as the office of the Head of Service determines who and when to employ.

    “IPPIS contravenes global best practices in the management of tertiary institutions and disrespects the peculiarities of the COE system.

    “Mr. President also needs to address the unlawful sack of Governing Councils in violation of their statutory tenure of three years and contravention of the FCE Establishment Act.

    “Of equal concern to our Union is the need to conclude the long overdue renegotiation of COEASU-FG 2010 agreement; upward review of the monthly running grant being given to the Managements of Colleges of Education and timely release of the fund.

    “Resolution of the issue of outsourced services particularly security and cleaning; and the implementation, without further delay, of the special bursary and grant to education students in Universities and Colleges of Education.”

  • Union commends Tinubu for cancelling 40% IGR deduction policy for tertiary institutions

    Union commends Tinubu for cancelling 40% IGR deduction policy for tertiary institutions

    The Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education, Nigeria (SSUCOEN) has commended President Bola Tinubu for withdrawing the directive that tertiary institutions should remit 40 per cent of their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to the federal government. 

    President of SSUCOEN, Danladi Msheliza gave the commendation in a statement on Monday, November 20, in Abuja. 

    The union urged President Tinubu to revisit past agreements aimed at improving the quality of education.

    SSUCOEN appreciated the President for listening to reason and concerns raised about the gradual damage the 40% deduction would have done to the already struggling tertiary education sub-sector due to paucity of funds.

    Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman (SAN), had announced the cancellation of the policy when he represented President Tinubu at the 75th Founder’s Day ceremony of the University of Ibadan.

    Read Also: Tinubu mourns former Chief of General Staff Chris Alli

    The President, as a visitor to the University, pledged his commitment to the reform of the nation’s education sector as the bedrock for national development.

    A leaked memo addressed to the heads of all tertiary institutions recently by the Nigerian government noted that starting from November 2023, Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and monotechnics, will have 40% of their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) deposited in their accounts will be deducted automatically via the Treasury Single Account.

    “SSUCOEN want the government to leave the revenue generated internally alone and focus on strengthening and sustaining the country’s image,” the statement added. 

  • Tinubu mourns former Chief of General Staff Chris Alli

    Tinubu mourns former Chief of General Staff Chris Alli

    President Bola Tinubu has sympathised with the Alli’s family and Army over the passing of Major-General Chris Alli (rtd), former Chief of Army Staff, who died on Sunday.

    Major-General Alli was Chief of Army Staff from 1993 to 1994 when he retired from service.

    According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu described the passing of the former Chief of Army Staff as a painful loss, saying he served his country faithfully.

    Read Also; Gunmen attack residence of Rivers factional Speaker

    “I condole with the Alli family and the Nigerian Army over the sad loss of the former Chief of Army Staff. He served his country with honour and retired meritoriously. May the Almighty God rest his soul and grant his family the fortitude to bear the huge void,” the President said

    Major-General Alli held other important positions in the Army such as Director of Military Intelligence (DMI) before his elevation to Chief of Army Staff. He was a respected officer.

  • PDP Rep member hails Tinubu, says there is hope for Nigeria

    PDP Rep member hails Tinubu, says there is hope for Nigeria

    A member of the House of Representatives from Kaduna state, Dan Amos has said that with the remarkable ability demonstrated by the President Bola Tinubu, there’s no doubt that his administration will make true to its renewed hope mandate to Nigerians. 

    Amos, who is member of the People Democratic Party (PDP), stated this at a meeting with the party’s stakeholders from his constituency in Kafanchan.

    The lawmaker representing Jema’a/Sanga Federal Constituency at the National Assembly asserted that the nation was evidently back on course based on Tinubu’s actions on assuming the mantle of leadership 

    He implored the opposition party members in the state to be appreciative of the appointments made by the president so far, especially as it concerns the Southern Kaduna people.

    According to him, that and more goes to prove that Tinubu isn’t going to serve as president of “some” but “everyone”.

    He said: “There’s hope for our dear nation under President Tinubu, the president has settled down really well.

    “We are very hopeful that this president is going to be a president for everyone.

    “The average Southern Kaduna man must be grateful to the president because he has given us the number one military officer.

    “The Chief of Defence Staff is one of us and it shows that Mr President means well for Southern Kaduna people,” he said.

    On the sidelines of a meeting, Amos assured that Nigerians will enjoy the dividends of good governance vis-à-vis democracy as the “10th Assembly is committed to enacting laws that have direct bearing on the masses.”

    Read Also: Tinubu reiterates commitement to revamp education sector

    He added: “Already, we have moved motions and passed bills that wil help stabilise the country and put food on the tables of ordinary Nigerians.”

    He indicated that one of the three Federal Technical Colleges the federal government proposes to establish in Kaduna would be situated in his constituency.

    “It’s a special project with a special funding, so it’s not waiting for any budget. Each of the colleges will have a kick off grant of N1 billion.

    “The college in my constituency will be called Federal Technical College, Kogom Dutse.

    “There will be classrooms, workshops and laboratories and work on the project will likely begin next January,” he added.

    The lawmaker, who is also the chairman, House Committee on Services further dedicated the recent ruling by the Appeal Court upholding his electoral victory to his constituents, noting, “our mandate was given by God through the people and it was never going to be taken by anyone.”

  • Tinubu reiterates commitement to revamp education sector

    Tinubu reiterates commitement to revamp education sector

    The visitor to the University of Ibadan, President Bola Tinubu has said the federal government is committed to revamping the entire education sector to produce well educated citizens.

    The visitor, who was represented by the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, gave the assurance at the University of Ibadan’s 75th Foundation Day anniversary, conferment of honorary degrees and admission to Higher Degrees ceremony held at the International Conference Centre of the University.

    He said his administration is fully conscious of the importance and centrality of education and would bring in more innovation that will revise the entire education sector from curriculum review at all levels.

    This, he said, would produce well-educated citizens empowered by digital, industrial, and evolution-driven science, technologies, and innovation.

    President Tinubu assured Nigerians that the Federal Government remains committed to the welfare of all students so that no student is deprived of education on account of poverty, adding that this explains why the students’ loan scheme is to be re-introduced.

    The Visitor rejoiced with the UI for maintaining its leading position in the country as well as in Africa but charged the institution not to rest on its oars but continue to forge ahead.

    He congratulated the 722 Ph.D. graduates and charged them to always adapt to change because the world is in a state of constant change, and society is waiting for their contributions to development.

    The Chancellor, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, said university education ought not only to impact knowledge but also transform character because it is the aspect that seems to dignify in the area of learning.

    He charged the learned community to reflect on the state of the academic sector and proffer solutions that would transform the education system.

    Read Also: You’re an icon of democracy, Tinubu tells Jonathan at 66

    He also congratulated the graduates and charged them to deliver in their areas of responsibilities, noting that funding must be released to cater to research and education so that higher institutions will be the centres of research and education.

    The Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation at African Union Commission, Professor Mohamed Belhocine congratulated the graduates for hard work and for being found worthy in character and learning before obtaining the higher degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

    In an address read on his behalf by Dr. Monica Idinosa of the AU Commission in Nigeria, Professor Belhocine noted that one of the achievements of the University of Ibadan is the international recognition it has attained as a centre of excellence, noting that UI products are men and women who have made positive contributions to development within Nigeria and globally by proffering solutions to various challenges.

    He remarked that 509 students have graduated from PAULESI since inception, and these are the 7th cohort of PhD. graduates, pointing out that this year’s graduates are from 45 African countries.

    The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale in his remark assures that the University will not relent in its resolve to be the flagship of postgraduate studies in the nation. He noted that the university’s determination to uphold the tradition of transparency and fairness in its admission exercises is reflecting on the quality of students’ performance.

    He challenged the graduates to note that the number of years spent as a student and the name as well as reputation of a university will not singularly decide the worth of a degree but that the worth of a degree “is in the industry, learning and character that the holder of the degree displays on a daily basis from the moment of obtaining the degree”.

    The Vice-Chancellor, enjoined the graduands to be and remain active stakeholders of the University project.

    He said: “The University of Ibadan is a national intellectual heritage. We all belong to it. It belongs to all. I invite you to rise up to support the University in all ways possible.”

    The University of Ibadan gave honorary degrees to four persons of integrity at the 75th Foundation Day ceremony.

    Professor Mayowa O. Owolabi was awarded a Doctor of Science, the highest doctorate degree of the University of Ibadan.

    Some of the dignitaties who attended the Foundation Day ceremony include: the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, who was represented, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Professor Saka Adelola Matemilola, a first class Mechanical Engineering graduate of UI and the Emir of Kano among many others.

    Also present were UI@75 Ambassadors, religious leaders and captains of commerce and industry.

    A major highlight of the ceremony was the recognition of one of the foundation students of the University of Ibadan, 97 year-old Professor Adetowun Ogunsheye, who witnessed the foundation laying ceremony 75 years ago.

  • You’re an icon of democracy, Tinubu tells Jonathan at 66

    You’re an icon of democracy, Tinubu tells Jonathan at 66

    President Bola Tinubu has affirmed the former President Goodluck Jonathan’s wisdom and patriotism will always stand as standard for leaders who aspire to make a difference in Nigeria and other parts of the world.

    President Tinubu made the assertion a in his goodwill message commemorating the 66th birthday of Dr Jonathan, describing him as an icon on democracy and a statesman.

    The message, contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the President lauded the former President’s commitment to the service of humanity, carrying on with humility and inspiring hope in good governance.

    The President, however, celebrated Jonathan, on behalf of the people and government of Nigeria, saying he has given Nigeria and Africa a pride of place in histories of democracy.

    The statement read: “On behalf of the people and government of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu celebrates former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, on his 66th birthday, for his unique demonstration of statesmanship and for his distinguishing achievement as a leader, who gave Nigeria and Africa, a pride of place in democratic lore by upending the vitiating paradigm of those who seek to hold onto power by all means.

    Read Also: No more strike in varsities, Tinubu assures

    “President Tinubu shares the joyous occasion with one of our icons of democracy, whose humility continues to inspire hope for good governance in the country and on the continent.

    “The President believes the former President possesses a distinguished profile on leadership, rising up the ladder as Deputy Governor, Governor, Vice-President and President, and now championing the cause of peace in Africa by bringing together and counselling leaders on harmonious co-existence for the benefit of the people they serve.

    “The president commends former President Jonathan for committing himself to the service of humanity and to strengthening democratic institutions, exemplified by his relentless peace missions and advocacy of non-violence in the peaceful transition of power across the African continent.

    “As the former president clocks 66, President Tinubu affirms that his wisdom, foresight, and patriotism will continue to set an example for leaders aspiring to make a difference in Nigeria and beyond.

    “The President prays that God Almighty will continually sustain the former President and his wife, Patience, in good health and strength.”

  • 40% varsities IGR : Onoh lauds Obi over comment on Tinubu

    40% varsities IGR : Onoh lauds Obi over comment on Tinubu

    President Bola Tinubu’s former spokesman in the southeast Dr. Josef Onoh has commended the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi for keeping politics aside to place the greater interest of Nigerians through his support, constructive criticism and advise on the President’s reversal of the automatic withdrawal of 40 percent from the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of Federal universities.

     Tinubu on Friday, during the 75th Founders day celebration of the University of Ibadan, announced the reversal of the automatic deduction of 40 percent from the federal universities IGR which he said was ill-timed at a time that the universities are financially choked.

    Obi immediately reacted to President Tinubu’s reversal of the policy, commending the presidential order and saying the 40 percent IGR underlines a lack of attention to the abuse of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund).

    Extolling Obi’s critique, Onoh said that unlike the other opposition members that criticize and antagonize the federal government even when it does something positive, Obi’s action has demonstrated true sportsmanship, exposing his value for Nigeria beyond mere politics and commend the LP presidential candidate for the immense applause he gave to the Tinubu administration.

    Onoh assured Obi that the Tinubu-led administration will not take for granted his recommendations and, noting that Obi’s commendation will encourage other well- meaning Nigerians to come together to perceive government as a collective pursuit other than as an individual entity.

    He stated that what His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi has done was a testament to the passion he has for Nigeria in moving it forward for the collective benefit of all Nigerians, adding that the state of education in Nigeria has been a major concern of all for decades.

    Onoh said: “Nigeria as a third world country despite being the most populous country in Africa and having the largest economy has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world, with only 59 percent of the adult population able to read and write. President Tinubu during the campaign made education as one of the priorities in his manifesto.

    “He was aware of many challenges facing higher education in Nigeria, from inadequate funding, corruption, inadequate infrastructural facilities, shortage of academic staff, strike actions, Brain-drain, poor research, weak administrators and insecurity.

    Read Also: Showdown in Osun as NBA rejects Adeleke’s Acting CJ

    “The President’s directive is an affirmation of his commitment to Nigerians towards building a better society and His Excellency Peter Obi’s commendation of Mr. President’s directive isn’t just taken as a political statement, rather it’s a strong motivational words of encouragement and commitment to Nigerians and I assure him that his support to the greater good of Nigerians isn’t taken for granted by the Tinubu led administration.

    “I urge more Nigerians to emulate his actions and realise that irrespective of our political differences, Nigeria belongs to us all and together we will definitely renew hope and lay a better foundation for the future. This administration will work towards achieving greater access to university education in Nigeria, and will also focus on curbing financial waste in the Nigerian University System (applying the policy of consolidation to its letter).

    “Downsizing the number of support staff in Nigerian University System; retraining of Nigerian universities’ academic staff to embrace ICT/ e – learning; and encouraging all universities in Nigeria to establish distance learning centres to provide more opportunities for all to have access to university education; and revision of education trust fund support for the production of books and journals in the Nigerian tertiary institutions; production of online materials for distance learning centers that would serve the greater populace desiring university education in our country.

    “Once again I applaud Peter Obi for his positive commitment and recommendations towards advancement of education in Nigeria and let him be assured that with his support and that of all well-meaning Nigerians irrespective of political differences and benefits, we all support our government towards building a better nation. Be assured that it will inspire this administration to aspire to the benefit of us all.”