The importance of Space Science and Technology Education cannot be overemphasised as it will continue to play key roles in the development of Nigeria.

The Director General of National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Professor Seidu Onalo Mohammed disclosed this in a chat with journalists, stating that his agency plays a key role in information and data collection through satellites for the development of the country.

Professor Mohammed noted that space programme still remained best technology to obtain data for analysis by scientists, stressing that digital televisions and telecommunications are all products of space science and technology.

He stated that over reliance on the use of other satellites would continue to gulp the nation’s reasonable amount of money which could have been used to create employment opportunities in the country.

The Director-General explained that in past few years, NASDRA had developed strategic road maps, noting that the agency had engaged in capacity building in the areas of designing and building of satellites such as Nigeria Sat X.

He however advocated participation of private sector in space technology programme, noting the in few years to come, the population of West African sub-region would be over 450 million, while that of Nigeria alone will up to over 180 million in the next two years.

Identifying Water resources, agriculture as regard total cultivated land, disaster management as some of the key areas where space technology would be most useful, the professor disclosed that the centre for launching of satellites has since been completed but rendered ineffective due to non installation of equipment.

The agency, it was gathered has entered into agreement with some universities in the country to train and retrain its personnel and specie engineers pending when the agency will get it own training institute.

Brain drain is an enigmatic term that describes the commonplace phenomenon of migration of highly skilled persons from one country, usually an under developed or developing country, to more developed countries resulting in acute shortage of skilled manpower in the afflicted nation. The loss of skilled manpower is just one of the negative impacts of the brain drain. It literarily affects every facet of our national life including increasing poverty due to lack of employment, reduced life expectancy as a result of poor health care delivery, falling educational standard, decreasing ability of Nigerian to feed themselves, poor infrastructural development, huge indirect financial capital flight, and reduced capacity to train skilled manpower due to depletion of competent trainers.

The cause of brain drain may not be farfetched. Imagine a young first class Nigerian graduate not being able to secure a job position in a Nigerian university as far back as the late seventies. He finally secures an alternative position in one of the state ministries as a research officer-in-training and was posted to a research laboratory without power or running water. Imagine that he later secured a foreign scholarship to train abroad but was not allowed to take up the scholarship because it was not “his turn” to go yet! Then imagine that he had to resign his job position as a research officer-in-training in order to take advantage of the scholarship to acquire the necessary training he needed for the job. Finally, imagine once more that he could not secure a job back in his state at the end of the studies because of nepotism. On the contrary, the foreign country where he trained however gladly offered him an opportunity to work if he so desired. This is as far back as the late seventies and the early eighties! These are the antecedents of the Brain-Drain phenomenon.

The above seemingly imaginary scenario is the true narrative of a young Nigerian with great potentials but denied the opportunity to thrive in the country and literarily forced into exile by his own country through the actions and policies that are inimical to growth and development. However, through cheer patriotism and tenacity of purpose, the young man returned to the country to work in a state other than that of his origin where his rights as a Nigerian are curtailed because of his place of birth. Denial of employment despite vacancies is one of the hallmarks of corruption and nepotism. The absence of functional equipment in workshops and laboratories constitute important setbacks to those who against all odds return to their father land as it renders the knowledge and competences acquired null and void.

Thus, they can contribute only marginally to Research and Development in their various places of employment, leaving many national and regional problems unresolved. Lack of flexibilities in the implementation of policies, and inequality in the treatment of Nigerian within Nigeria are important factors in the flight of qualified Nigerians to more conducive environments.

Other factors that play significant roles in the Brain-Drain dilemma include the general state of insecurity in the land as well as poor remuneration. Violent crimes including carjacking, armed robbery and kidnapping have become common but unpredictable crimes in Nigeria which are increasingly becoming strong deterrents to those who would return to Nigeria from the Diaspora. Fear of kidnapping has kept some Nigerians from returning to their place of birth and some others to their country of origin. Controlling such crimes would restore confidence in the nation Nigeria and encourage some of those in Diaspora to return. Though poor remuneration is often cited as a deterrent to returning, it is often not such a big factor as the others.

Against all odds, many first class Nigerian scholars trained in world class universities worldwide have been returning to the country, especially to the universities. I wonder how they are expected to react when confronted with the dilapidations of the old laboratories and workshops which they had left behind. If those who returned soon after their training can no longer tolerate the situation they left behind barely three years earlier, I wonder what we would expect from Nigerians in Diaspora who have been away, some for up to thirty years.

The Federal Government through its agency the National Universities Commission should go beyond the rhetoric of accreditation and provide an environment in which the returnees could thrive. Towards this end, Establishments with high densities of staff, trained in high end research methodologies, should be provided funds to equip laboratories and workshops with the necessary equipment for onshore training of qualified manpower for the Nigerian project.

Brain-Drain had remained a problem when corruption reigned, facilities remain rudimentary, and security, a challenge. With the new mantra of change and strong anticorruption sentiments, things may have started to move in the right direction.

Three children who demonstrated outstanding courage and bravery have been adjudged winners of the 2015 Indomie Independence Day Awards for Heroes of Nigeria.

They are Abbas Naifarya Ibrahim, 13; Innocent Yamawo, 7 and Naja Nuhu, 13. They took first, second and third place and went home with N1m, N750, 000 and N500, 000 respectively.

They were presented with the awards at an elaborate event at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.

The Indomie Independence Day Awards for Heroes of Nigeria (IIDA) is a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative from Dufil Prima Foods Plc, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles.

The award which began in 2008 and is in its 8th edition is geared towards recognising children between the ages of 1 and 15 who have exhibited extraordinary acts of heroism in the face of danger or societal challenges.

First place winner, Abbas Naifarya Ibrahim, an SS 2 student of Federal Government Girls College, Kazaure emerged 2015 IIDA overall winner and was rewarded with N1m scholarship. Nairfaya, an indigene of Kano state, was awarded for the courage and exemplary act she performed when she alerted authorities of a suspicious object she noticed beside a mosque. Her actions and sense of responsibility saved scores of people from an imminent bomb blast.

Commenting on the award, Naifarya who was overwhelmed by emotions, said, “I feel extremely happy and very proud of myself. I thank Dufil for finding me worthy of this award. I intend to go to the American University of Nigeria, Yola to study medicine. I want to become a medical doctor so I can help people.” Innocent Yamawo, a seven year old boy whose story of heroism evoked compassion from the audience was adjudged second place winner.

Innocent, in a bold attempt to save his baby sister from an inferno which engulfed their house, sustained third degree burns which has left him partially deformed. Although he was able to bring the sister out of the inferno, she was long dead as a result of excessive smoke.

Young Innocent who says his dream is to become a Pastor, was awarded a scholarship grant worth 750, 000. In addition to the grant, Dufil also announced that the company would provide funds for Innocent to have a reconstructive surgery.

Third place winner, Naja Nuhu whose brave heroics and courage saved her family and led to the arrest of armed robbers who had invaded their house. Naja was rewarded with a scholarship grant worth 500, 000 for her show of courage in the face of grave danger.

In his welcome address, Group Managing Director, Dufil Prima Foods, Mr. Deepak Singhal, reiterated the company’s commitment to positively impacting the Nigerian child.

He said, “As a company, we believe that in every child lies the seed of greatness. This is in consonance with INDOMIE’S core values. We believe that in the Nigerian child lies the qualities of excellence. This award mirrors the importance and belief of our company in the extraordinary qualities of the Nigerian child which must always be celebrated.”

Speaking further, he said, “Not only are we encouraged and inspired by the stories of courage and selflessness of these children, as a company, we also take delight in the fact that we are able to positively impact these children so they can be empowered to achieve greater things in life”.

Founder, LEAP Africa, a nonprofit organisation Mrs. Ndidi Nwuneli, in her keynote speech titled, The Nigerian Child: The Hope of a Nation, emphasised the need for the empowerment of the Nigerian Child.

She said, “It is apparent that for any nation to develop economically there is need to improve the nation’s human capital by investing heavily on education”.

A serving member of the National Assembly, Senator Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East), who was present at the event, commended Dufil for the IIDA initiative. Impressed by the heroics of the 2015 IIDA winners, Senator Ashafa in his personal capacity, donated the sums of ₦300, 000, ₦200,000 and ₦100, 000 for the three winners respectively.

So far, the IIDA initiative has been able to positively impact the lives of about 24 Nigerian children who have shown exemplary courage.

Mr. Sam Akindele, Dean of School of Social Sciences, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Otto\Ijanikin, Lagos is a co-founder of Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) and he served as the National President of the union between 1996 and 2000. Akindele bares his mind in this interview with TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE about the recent upgrading of four colleges of education to degree-awarding institutions and the expectation from the current government on education. Excerpts:

How would you react to the upgrading of four colleges of education to degree awarding institutions towards the end of last administration?

For me, it is a welcome development. It is the beginning of bringing to pass what many people including my humble self had been clamouring for over the years.

As a matter of fact, that was part of what we fought for when we started COEASU. The agitation has been because of the increasing marginalization within the tripod- polytechnics, colleges of education and the universities in the country. We found out that less people are coming to colleges of education while everybody just wants to go to the university.

We believe it would be much better to have degree courses at the colleges of education so that we could attract more students. But as time went on, an idea to start this bit by bit and to start with the first generation colleges which probably had already been affiliated to different universities to produce degrees in education courses came to mind. After all, all the four upgraded colleges had been affiliated to one university or the other for as far back as 1990s and they are doing well. So, for me, it is a welcome development notwithstanding their challenges after the upgrading.

But won’t the upgrading further widen the dichotomy between degree and NCE holders?

You may be right in this regard. This is because we believe so much in this country in the name of a school and not necessarily on quality of their products. And should the government not pronounce these institutions as universities, we may not get anywhere. But to me, a college of education can still produce quality graduates in education courses. Unfortunately, Nigeria’s nomenclature is that name is important to everybody. Without calling them universities, we are likely to go nowhere and therefore we are in the crisis of name. When I was the President of COEASU, I made bold to say that in Ghana there, their colleges of education produce good students. The same thing in Europe and America, polytechnics produce graduate in technology. Unfortunately here in Nigeria, until you say a school is a university, you won’t treasure the product that come out of the process and that is the dilemma of Nigeria education. Good enough, I had a privilege before I left office in 1999; I met with the Senate and the House of Representatives and showed them the statistics of some colleges of education with high numbers of PhD lecturers compared with some of so-called universities. Funny enough, within that system as of that time, I got over 14 universities which have fewer PhD holders as lecturers than many colleges of education in the country. Take for instance, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo as at 1999 had 62 Ph D holders, Alvan Ikoku about 57 and AOCOED had 47 while in some universities today you will find master degree holders as lecturers even though the law stipulated a minimum of PhD holder. So, our problem is in the name.

How would you explain the argument that the country doesn’t have enough teachers when in real term many trained teachers are actually unemployed?

It is not in every part of the country that we have shortage of teachers. There may be more than enough teachers in the cities and urban areas but they are in short supply in most of the rural communities. For instance, from the research I conducted sometime ago, I discovered that there were no enough teachers in most of the rural communities just because people don’t want to stay in the villages, especially because of absence of modern facilities that can make live enjoyable there whereas, many of the cities are over saturated with teachers. Some people are using statistics from the urban centres to generalize about the country’s situation as regard this subject matter. So to me, the argument is unfounded. But then, there is a problem of quality of teachers being produced. I have been lecturing here for 28 years with so many generations of students I have produced to the glory of God. But things were better those days than now. When we were operating Teachers Grade Two, once the students at that level graduated, they enrolled in colleges of education and very ready to take up teaching appointment. But many of the students nowadays are not ready to go into the profession. They only come to colleges so as not to stay at home when they could not secure admission into the university.

So, in a nutshell, while there are so many teachers in the unemployment market, how many of them who are ready to take appointment in the villages?

So, what do you expect from this present government as regards education?

It is to give the sector adequate attention, to fund it very well and implement policies effectively. I am not talking about tertiary education alone but education at all levels. I always canvass for budget that up to the UNESCO’s advice. It is not too much for the government to dedicate up to 26 per cent of their annual budgets to education. I am not saying we must dedicate 26 per cent to education because of other challenges but it must be something close to it. Apart from that, any money injected must also be judiciously spent. So, monitoring is a key. In addition, the leaderships of various tertiary schools should also be more democratic with the staff unions while the union themselves should be more realistic in their demands. The system must be allowed to work by every stakeholder.

Some people blame the poor performance of students in their studies and exams on teachers, how do you react to this?

This is a difficult question. Do you know why it is difficult? I have been a teacher for quite a while. I went to teachers training college, I went to college of education and I also got a degree in education. I always ask a question when people talk about poor performance of students. The question is that how much do we respect our teachers and what we do give them as recognition for their contributions. It is only to blame them for this or that. We have forgotten that many students are lazy and not ready to study. And yet, people still blame teachers for their failure. You don’t see a teacher being decorated in Nigeria with national honour. But you can see artists decorated with awards. You can see many of our politicians including counselors of a local government after stealing our commonwealth being decorated with national laurels. And nobody is thinking about teachers. So, even though I am not totally exonerated teachers from the blame, they need to be encouraged for them to perform better.

As parts of the activities marking its 3rd Convocation ceremonies, the six-year old Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), has approved the Award of Honorary Doctorate Degrees to four deserving and eminent Nigerians. They are Bishop Mathew Kukah, Prof. Attahiru Jega and retired Justice Emmanuel Ayoola as well as the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.

Speaking in Ado-Ekiti, the Chairman, Governing Council of ABUAD, Amb Iyorwuese Hagher, said Kukah, the Revered Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Jega, the immediate past Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Hon. Justice Ayoola, JSC (retd) and Oba Adeyemi were selected for the award after a rigorous, thorough and merit-based selection process in appreciation of their services and contributions to humanity.

A lover and proponent of quality and functional education, the highly revered and valiant Bishop Kukah was ordained a Catholic Priest on December 19, 1976. He attended the University of Ibadan, where he obtained a Diploma in Religious Studies. The amiable dogged fighter also received the Bachelor of Divinity at the Urban University Rome in 1976, followed by a Master’s Degree in Peace Studies, at the University of Bradford, United Kingdom in 1980.

Jega is a well-known Nigerian academic and former Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano as well as the conscientious immediate Past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). His tenure as INEC Chairman was hailed by Nigerians as being characterised by integrity, focus and transparency. It is to his credit that he introduced the card reader to the nation’s election landscape. He attended Ahmadu Bello University Zaria’s Bayero University College, Kano where he graduated with a Second Class Upper Division B. Sc. Degree in Political Science in 1979.

Hon. Justice Ayoola, a thoroughbred lawyer and a distinguished Jurist, was born in Ilesha in October 1933. He was educated at Ilesha Grammar School before he obtained a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of London in 1957 and a Bachelors’ Degree in Jurisprudence from Oxford University in 1959. He was called to the English Bar at Lincoln’s Inn, London in November 1957.

Hon. Justice Ayoola who assumed the leadership mantle of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) after the former President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Mustapha Akanbi, has since his retirement been serving in many judicial capacities nationally and internationally.

Oba Adeyemi, a foremost Nigerian traditional ruler, was born in October 1938. After his Quranic education in Iseyin, he attended Obalende Modern School and later Tinubu Methodist School before proceeding to St. Gregory’s College, Obalende, Lagos for his Secondary School education.

The prophesy of the then Insurance Officer in some newspapers articles he wrote in 1968 under a pseudo name that he would be great and yet another one that he would become be the next Alaafin assumed a tap root when he was among the 11 princes presented to vie for the vacant stool of the Alaafin of Oyo Empire in 1968. He won on the three different occasions the contest took place to emerge the winner on November 18, 1970.

Oba Adeyemi, a three-term Pro Chancellor of the then newly established University of Sokoto, now Uthman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, the Alaafin was honoured with the Degree of Doctor of Letters (LL.D), Honoris Causa in appreciation of his contributions and achievements.

…as Utomi urges devt of science teachers

At this time when many of her colleagues especially in the state-owned secondary schools in the country are complaining of lack of money due to the inability of the state governments to pay their workers salaries for several months, Rose Nkemdilim Obi, is singing a different tune.

Reason, Obi a teacher at Federal Government Girls’ College, Onitsha, Anambra State is one and half million naira richer.

Her fortune is a product of hard work and commitment exemplified in her job. It is also a testament that teachers’ reward is no longer in heaven as was claimed in the past.

Obi has been teaching Chemistry and Mathematics for the past 12 years after she graduated with a first degree from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

Her incurable passion for the job has however paid off as she was rewarded with one million naira for being the overall winner of this year’s Maltina Teacher of the Year Award and another half a million naira for being among the top 19 contestants nationwide.

She was presented with the prize on Monday in Lagos at award ceremony where she and the first and second runners up were unveiled and presented to the public.

That is not all. Obi apart from also presented with a trophy for her victory would equally be collecting N1 million yearly for the next five years and embark on all expensespaid short overseas training while her school would be provided with a block of six classrooms worth N25 million.

Maltina Teacher of the Year Award was initiated in May this year by the Nigerian Breweries Plc under its social corporate arm-Felix- Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund to recognise, celebrate and motivate exemplary Nigerian teachers for better performance. This year’s edition which was the first in the series, focused only on public secondary schools nationwide with the hope of extending it to their counterparts in private schools in the nearest future.

Obi however shared her experience as a teacher with journalists shortly after the event and when she had taken several photographs with the well-wishers.

“Honestly I didn’t envisage I could be overall winner when I was sending my entry for the award. But I knew I would go far,” she declared. “Even at that, all glory goes to God, who crowned my effort with success.”

Obi, who returned to her alma mater 10 years after graduation for her masters’ programme said she was very passionate about teaching and that nothing including money could make her to quit the profession in her active age.

Interestingly, Rose’s mother was a retired teacher. That background according to her somehow has a bit of influence on her choice of the profession. “But to say the least, I love teaching and I always happy seeing myself in the classroom,” she said.

Recalling her first day experience, she said, “I entered into the classroom not knowing if my passion for teaching will reflect in my teaching style. But at the end I got a very positive response from my students.”

Rose since then is increasing on daily basis in knowledge and skill.

On her award, she said: “I think the most important thing the Maltina Teacher of the Year Award has done for Nigerians is the re-awakening of the fact that teachers deserve appreciation because of their critical roles to nation’s building.

“So, I am highly honoured be the first recipient of this award and I hope to convey to young ones to consider the fact that to be a committed teacher is a rare privilege.” While dedicating the victory to God and her fellow teachers, Obi, who was at the occasion with her husband, Mr. Gozie Obi, a lawyer, said, “Teaching is a calling and a commitment to building the nation and I thank God for my life. I also thank Nigerian Breweries for restoring the dignity and pride of teachers in the country.”

While she was not specific on what exactly to use her money for, Obi said she would definitely spend it wisely including furthering of her academic pursuit.

On how she would want to be seen in 10 years time, she told National Mirror that “”I would want to be an authority in creating, through my research, the best teaching strategy for the science subjects.”

For Obi’s first runner-up, Mrs. Binta Muhammed from Borno State, who went home with a sum of N1 million and another N500, 000 for being one of the top 19 contestants said teaching had become part of her such that she could not do without the act.

Her state is one of the crisis-ridden in the north east where Boko Haram members indiscriminately attack people and places including schools, yet, Muhammed does not allow such terrible situation to discourage her.

“I don’t see myself doing something else. Teaching is my calling. So, insurgency or not, I will continue to teach,” she vowed. The third prize (N750, 000 plus another half a million also for being one of the top 19) went to a man, Udiong Daniel from Akwa Ibom state. Unfortunately, both Ondo and Osun were not part of the 19 states recognised at the event. But others in the South West made the list.

On what qualified the top three for their respective prizes out of hundreds of applicants, the Chairman of an independent Panel of Judges who is also the Founder/CEO of Centre for Values in Leadership, Professor Pat Utomi said the panel found their entries compelling.

According to him, “we received lots of entries from across 33 states of the federation but many of them were dropped because they were substandard.”

The only 19 whose entries worth recognition were consequently rewarded at the award night with N500, 000 each before the number was pruned down to 10 where the top three emerged .

Utomi, also a teacher cum politician told the audience that panel looked among other things for thoroughness, passion, techniques, style and knowledge of contestants on the job to award marks that finally produced the winner.

He particularly worried about the teaching of English language, mathematics and science subjects, saying the country would need to pay more attention to those areas to be able to get things right.

Utomi’s seven-man team is full with credible and successful individuals from academic, Law and the Media. And they ensured according to him that they were transparent and objective in their judgment. They include Mrs. Mopelola Omoegun, Professor of Education, University of Lagos; Prof. Thomas Ofuya, Vice Chancellor, Wellspring University; Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, Chairman, Editorial Board, This- Day Newspapers; Dr. Abdulrahman Binta Fatima, National President, All-Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools; and Professor Tijani Abubakar, Dean, Faculty of Education, Ahmadu Bello University. And they were all present at the award ceremony.

Earlier in his remark, the Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries, Mr. Nicolas Vervelde explained the rationale for instituting the award, saying it was a platform for the company to contribute its own quota to the development of education and the economy by extension in the country.

He said the 69-year-old company since inception had been operating with a philosophy of “winning with Nigeria” by championing causes that add value to the society.

Everywhere in the world, according to the managing director, teachers play a vital role in sustainable national development.

“No one can estimate the values of teachers. They train, they coach and they serve as role model for children to become somebody in life. They are also part of what determine the quality of life people live. So, those who are exemplary among them need to be appreciated and celebrated as we are doing today,” he stressed.

He explained that the company had committed lot of resources to education at all levels nationwide since the formation of the Felix- Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund in 1994 and promised not to relent on such support to the sector.

Librarian, University of Lagos, Akoka, Dr. Olukemi Fadehan has said library remain the only panacea to educational advancement.

According to her, educational advancement and national development are not mutually exclusive but the panacea remains the Library that is why the government needs to bring back the Libraries.

She disclosed this while delivering a lecture titled “The 21st Century Libraries and Students, Challenges and Opportunities to mark the Nigerian Library Association, Lagos Chapter, Library Week held at the Lagos State Library Board, Ikeja, last week.

“Also the awareness and preparedness of all stakeholders also require a renaissance. While the library and information professionals should look inward and outward, our major advocacy to the major proprietor, the government is “Save Our Soul”, through a renaissance in positive attitude, a renaissance in Library Legislation and policy and a renaissance in better funding.”

She also stated that In the bid to conquer the 21st Century information landscape, Information and Communication Technology strategy remains the household cliché and driver of both content and strategies (concept and physical facilities).

Fadehan also said that continual review and audit of individual libraries’ contents and physical facilities against global standards with a view to effect change and compliance is very important to meet up with 21st century.

Listing the role of the Nigerian Library Association (NLA) and the Librarians Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN) to include minimum Standards for all libraries, Training and re-training of Librarians; review of Library schools’ curricula; continual advocacy of the importance of libraries; revival of Library Legislation/Policies and better funding by the Government she however said the use of 21st century tools to develop learning skills for the students is very important.

“There is need to integrate as well as bridge the gap between knowledge and skills for the 21st Century that is why students by age, society class, discipline require generalised and specific learning skills and needs, which will prepared them to meet the need of this dispensation.”

Also, the Librarian said that there is need to integrate as well as bridge the gap between knowledge and skills for the 21st Century through Knowledge of core subjects and acquisition of the three basic learning skills whichinclude Information and communication skills; thinking and problem-solving skill as well as interpersonal and self-directional skills.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Chairman, Nigerian Library Association, Mrs. Ibiyemi Onasanya said the week was as an opportunity to remind stakeholders of the importance of libraries, the role it plays in learning and life of individuals and establishments.

“The NLA, Lagos has done so much in strengthening and supporting effective service delivery through various trainings and lectures of this nature.

The British Council is set to hold this year’s UK Postgraduate Exhibition in Nigeria.

The exhibition, which is the third in the series, will be held in Abuja and Lagos. While that of Abuja will be held on 4th of November, Lagos version is scheduled two days beginning from 6th of November.

The exhibition according to the organiser will provide a platform for prospective postgraduate students who want to study in the UK to meet with the representatives of no fewer than 30 tertiary institutions from the UK for direct advice on the opportunities available to them over there.

Sephora Imomoh, the Project Manager at the British Council disclosed that many Nigerians were being admitted into the UK tertiary schools through such forum on a yearly basis.

Explaining why UK is a popular destination for international students, the project manager said, “The UK’s excellent reputation for education leads to internationally recognised qualifications, with the result that students can look forward to good career prospects when they return home.”

Imomoh further states “With a strong reputation for research, innovation and creativity, UK universities and colleges attract some of the world’s leading academics and industry professionals. Students are encouraged to express their ideas and think for themselves”.

Librarian, University of Lagos, Akoka, Dr. Olukemi Fadehan has said library remain the only panacea to educational advancement.

According to her, educational advancement and national development are not mutually exclusive but the panacea remains the Library that is why the government needs to bring back the Libraries.

She disclosed this while delivering a lecture titled “The 21st Century Libraries and Students, Challenges and Opportunities to mark the Nigerian Library Association, Lagos Chapter, Library Week held at the Lagos State Library Board, Ikeja, last week.

“Also the awareness and preparedness of all stakeholders also require a renaissance. While the library and information professionals should look inward and outward, our major advocacy to the major proprietor, the government is “Save Our Soul”, through a renaissance in positive attitude, a renaissance in Library Legislation and policy and a renaissance in better funding.”

She also stated that In the bid to conquer the 21st Century information landscape, Information and Communication Technology strategy remains the household cliché and driver of both content and strategies (concept and physical facilities).

Fadehan also said that continual review and audit of individual libraries’ contents and physical facilities against global standards with a view to effect change and compliance is very important to meet up with 21st century.

Listing the role of the Nigerian Library Association (NLA) and the Librarians Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN) to include minimum Standards for all libraries, Training and re-training of Librarians; review of Library schools’ curricula; continual advocacy of the importance of libraries; revival of Library Legislation/Policies and better funding by the Government she however said the use of 21st century tools to develop learning skills for the students is very important.

“There is need to integrate as well as bridge the gap between knowledge and skills for the 21st Century that is why students by age, society class, discipline require generalised and specific learning skills and needs, which will prepared them to meet the need of this dispensation.”

Also, the Librarian said that there is need to integrate as well as bridge the gap between knowledge and skills for the 21st Century through Knowledge of core subjects and acquisition of the three basic learning skills whichinclude Information and communication skills; thinking and problem-solving skill as well as interpersonal and self-directional skills.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Chairman, Nigerian Library Association, Mrs. Ibiyemi Onasanya said the week was as an opportunity to remind stakeholders of the importance of libraries, the role it plays in learning and life of individuals and establishments.

“The NLA, Lagos has done so much in strengthening and supporting effective service delivery through various trainings and lectures of this nature.

The British Council is set to hold this year’s UK Postgraduate Exhibition in Nigeria.

The exhibition, which is the third in the series, will be held in Abuja and Lagos. While that of Abuja will be held on 4th of November, Lagos version is scheduled two days beginning from 6th of November.

The exhibition according to the organiser will provide a platform for prospective postgraduate students who want to study in the UK to meet with the representatives of no fewer than 30 tertiary institutions from the UK for direct advice on the opportunities available to them over there.

Sephora Imomoh, the Project Manager at the British Council disclosed that many Nigerians were being admitted into the UK tertiary schools through such forum on a yearly basis.

Explaining why UK is a popular destination for international students, the project manager said, “The UK’s excellent reputation for education leads to internationally recognised qualifications, with the result that students can look forward to good career prospects when they return home.”

Imomoh further states “With a strong reputation for research, innovation and creativity, UK universities and colleges attract some of the world’s leading academics and industry professionals. Students are encouraged to express their ideas and think for themselves”.

Mr. Ranti Ojo, the Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Kogi State speaks with WALE IBRAHIM in Lokoja about why the state government should stop the payment of West African School Certificate Examinations’ fees for the senior secondary school students in the country, among other issues.

How do you see the payment of examinations fees by state governments for the senior secondary school students in public schools in view of the fact that many of these states are not financially viable?

It is a serious issue. Let me use Kogi State as an example. To me, the payment of WAEC exam fees is a misplaced priority. The payment with all purpose and intents is for political patronage and a means to deceive the parents who would have to pay back with their votes. The issue of teachers, especially in the state-owned secondary schools in terms of staff welfare, remuneration, capacity building, infrastructural facilities and instructional materials are grossly below average. In particular, welfare of teachers is at very low ebb as government does not pay teachers salary regularly. Presently in the country, there are some states that owing their teachers over eight months salary but thanks to the Federal Government bailout package. So, if you say you are paying WAEC fees for students neglecting the teachers, the question is who is going to teach the students and prepare them for that examination. It is teachers of course. Then, what type of performance are you expecting from the students? If you pay a visit to any public school and assess its infrastructural facilities, look at their buildings, look at their seating arrangements in the classrooms, you would quickly conclude that the environment is not conducive for learning. However, l would not blame the parents that struggle to enrol their children in the private schools because they have better facilities. Sadly, successive leaders have succeeded in killing public schools through their policies and inadequate funding but God is going to judge them all. Most of the policy makers today in government went to public schools and enjoyed best of facilities during their times. But now, nothing work again in those schools and don’t want to fix them. They now prefer to establish their own private schools and charge very high fees that will make them exclusive for the rich. So, for any government to continue paying WAEC an exam fee of students is to achieve cheap political popularity. They are not in any way helping parents but adding to their burden. This is because the fees are being paid at the detriment of efficiency and performance. That is why it is always mass failure when the results are released because students are not well prepared for the exam. The teachers in Kogi State for over seven years now have been crying to government to recruit more teachers to add to the one on ground but nothing happened till now. This present government made efforts to recruit 500 teachers in order to fill the gap created by the retired teachers since 2012 but unfortunately nobody has been recruited. Every year in the last seven years, nothing less than 100 teachers go on retirement in the state service. The total number of secondary school teachers in the state is less than 6,000 as at 2009 and since then no teachers have been recruited. Last year, over 140 teachers were sent forth. This year’s list is about 97. To worsen the situation, some teachers are even transferring their service to the main stream civil service, where workers enjoy better welfare.

For example, teachers are always considered last anytime government is paying workers leave allowance. If teachers are been considered as second class citizens, l wonder how you want such teachers to put in their best. So, the money government is using to pay students’ WEAC exams’ fees should be used to recruit more teachers, provide better facilities and instructional materials and create enabling environment conducive for learning and working in schools. Government of Kogi State pays close to N500 million annually for students in the name of WAEC fees whereas most of the schools where the students are learning have no table, chairs, library and their laboratories are empty. There are some secondary schools in this state that do not have more than two teachers and the government is paying the WAEC fees for students. Then, we should ask ourselves how you want such student to pass? There is no miracle that would make such student to pass. The only miracle available for such a student is examination malpractice.

You accused some political leaders of killing public schools, in which way sir?

Well, the most of the private schools available are owned by these socalled our leaders- the policy makers and their cronies. So, the only way to patronise their schools is to cripple the public schools and make them non conducive for learning. Let us look at it from this angle, how many of our leaders have their children in public schools? To them, whether public schools exist or not do not make any meaning to them. They are doing this in order to make the masses their perpetual servants and make our children to also serve their own children. This may later pose a big problem unless the issues are addressed. Funny enough, most of the public schools today exist on the mercy of parents. Go to any public school and talk to the principal, they would explain their experience. If not for the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) contributions, many public schools would not have a single teacher. But number one social responsibility of any responsible government is to provide education to her citizenry. So, any government that fails to provide qualitative education does not fit to be called a government.

So, what do you suggest as a way out?

It is simple. It is to improve on the policy guiding primary and secondary education in the country. For instance, their funding and regulation can be removed from the purview of the local and state governments and give to a special commission to be set up for such purposes.

No fewer than 200 participants are attending the ongoing 17th Annual International Conference of African Council for Communication Education, Nigeria Chapter holding at University of Calabar (UNICAL), Cross River State.

Briefing journalists in Calabar, Head of Department, Linguistics and Communications Studies, UNICAL, Dr Godwin Iwuchukwu stated that the conference which is holding by the university for the first time has brought together academics and journalists from the United Kingdom, United States and Africa.

The four-day conference with theme: “Communication, Language and the 2015 elections,” is expected to wind up tomorrow.

Iwuchukwu, who doubles as the Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the conference, said the forum was an opportunity for scholars and practicing journalists to x-rayed issues and events regarding reportage and use of language by media professionals and academics.

The Director-General, Lagos State Office of Education Quality Assurance, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo has restated that the state government had no plan for now to close down any primary school in the state on the premise of their operations.

She made the disclosure when the Association of Christian Schools in Nigeria paid her a courtesy visit in her office at Aluasa secretariat, recently.

Soyombo who reiterated the state government’s determination to ensure standards in both public and private schools pointed out that her office was not out to witch-hunt any private schools but to ensure quality in their service delivery.

She noted that all what her office required from both public and private schools is their adherence to rules and regulations guiding their operations.

“That is why my office as an entity under the ministry of education is appealing to private school owners as one of the major stakeholders to cooperate with government and support it policies to move the sector forward as education is the bedrock of development,” she said.

While urging her visitors to ensure their members are duly registered and obtain the state’s approval signage for their schools, Soyombo, in a press release by the Press and Public Relations Officer of her office, Mrs. Peju Kassim, also reminded them that regular payment of annual dues was not negotiable.

She pointed out that teaching is a noble profession that every teacher should be proud of.

Responding, the leader of the visiting team and Proprietress of Dansol Schools, Mrs. Adun Akinyemiju commended the state’s government for establishing education quality assurance office as a platform for the private sector to be actively involved in driving education in the state.

She promised that her members would cooperate with the government to make its various policies yielding fruitful results.

Dr. Garba Ibrahim Kirfi, a twoterm Provost of College of Education Azare, Bauchi State is also a former Commissioner for Higher Education in the state. He was a member of the National conference and teaches History at the University of Maiduguri, Borno State. In this interview with journalists, Kirfi who is now a Provost of Institute of Education, Kangere, Bauchi State speaks about his plans for the institute and how to revamp the nation’s education sector, among other issues. EZEKIEL TITUS brings the excerpt:

How would you react to your new appointment as a Provost of the newly established Institute of Education, Kangere?

It is simply a challenge to serve. But I must say that the appointment may largely be a sign of recognition from government to my previous assignments. I am talking about my performances. The appointment shows that the government is satisfied with my performance at a similar institution which I was provost for two terms as well as a commissioner for higher education. Although, I didn’t expect the appointment because I was already looking forward to go and rest after completing my second term as a Provost in Azare, somehow I made up my mind to return to classroom in the university after all, I have never disconnected myself from the system throughout. My appointment is also a challenge as it happened at a time the state is facing serious economic crisis. But then, we shall move on and record huge success with God on our side.

What exactly informed the establishment of the institute since the state has one college of education already and how do you intend to run the school?

By the grace of God, I am one of the technocrats appointed to set up the institute. The purpose is simply to produce skillful teachers that will complement that from the college of education that is already on ground. The institute was established after due and exhaustive consultations with the state Universal Basic Education Board, Teachers Service Commission including the Ministry of Education, to establish an institution that can cater for early child care education. This is due to the establishment of more nursery and Kindergarten schools in the state. So, in a nutshell, the institute was set up to train and re-train teachers that will cater for pupils at that level. The other areas of focus for the institute will be on vocational and technical education. The institute will develop courses that will equip students with the knowledge of skills acquisition and entrepreneurship. It will also cater for special education for the physically challenged persons and we shall expand with time.

What are the requirements for admission seekers into the institute?

It is simple. It is just like every other college of education in the country. All that required is for prospective students to tender their Senior Secondary School Certificate with a minimum of five credit pass in subject combination according to courses apply for which must include English language and Mathematics. They will also need to pass the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination with a minimum 150 points as stipulated by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for polytechnics and colleges of education as well as the post-UTME. But applicants coming for pre-NCE programmes who could not meet up with the above requirements will be considered for admission if they have ordinary passes in five subjects including English language and Mathematics.

How do you think your institute can benefit from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund TETFUND?

Once we are able to be done with our accreditation by the National Commission for Colleges of Education, NCCE, which will come after putting in place necessary human capital and material resources, we will be able to approach TETFUND for help. The recent visit by NCCE to the institute was to inspect our structures and facilities on ground for the take-off of the institution.

What do you have to say that in spite of claim by successful governments to have invested heavily in education, there is still huge rot in the sector?

To be frank, the reasons responsible for the decay are many. But it is not only the education sector that is in decay, other sectors of the economy are facing similar problem. But for this purpose, let talk about education, the extreme shortage of qualified, dedicated, and motivated teaching force is the current major challenges in the sector, For instance, over 5,000 primary school teachers in Bauchi State are said not to be qualified for the job they are doing, yet they are still kept in the system. And that is the foundation. So we do we expect from other levels of education? Even at that, the qualified ones are being distracted from the job. This may be due to poor remuneration and working environment, lack of teaching materials such as essential textbooks and writing items. All these and many more will definitely affect negatively effective teaching and learning in schools. So a way out is for government to address these variables one after the other and importantly to bring in more competent hands into the system and remunerate them well. No amount of money invested in education that is a waste. We can grow as a nation if our education sector continues to be in ruin.

But funding has been a major challenge facing tertiary schools especially the state government-owned in the country, how do you then intend to run this institute effectively in the face of dwindling economic fortune of the state government?

Funding is a serious issue facing not only education but other sectors of the economy in the country. So, inadequate funding has been a recurrent challenge for tertiary institutions in the country. Many of them spend their subvention largely on salaries leaving out a small fraction for their infrastructural development. A few also supplement the spending with internally generated revenues. These are various fees and levies being charged students for the services they are enjoying like teaching and examination materials, electricity, medical care and so on. But we shall come up with ideas to generate money from to complement the government subvention.

The Ogun State Government has reiterated its commitment to the development of education sector as a key factor in socio-economic development of the state.

The state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun represented by his Deputy, Chief Yetunde Onanuga gave the assurance while accepting the award as the Pillar of Education Development of the State at the grand finale of the 55th Independence President’s Inter-SUBEB Debate Championship held at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, last week.

Amosun who appreciated the honour bestowed on him said the recognition of his contributions to the development of the state would spur him to take the state to the next level.

Earlier in his opening remark, the Chairman, President’s School Debate National (PSDN) Advisory Board, Prof. Jerry Agada according to a press release made available to journalists, noted that it was an epoch making occasion put in place to discover intellectual talent inherent in the younger generation, saying that the championship has demonstrated that education could be strengthened through determination and resourcefulness.

Agada while appreciating the people of the Ogun State for their hospitality, encouraged pupils to engage in industrious and fruitful activities that would further develop them.

The National Coordinator, PSDN, Elder Dare Oritu in his address of welcome pointed out that the debate had brought spirit of togetherness in the country, urging the pupils and Nigerians at large to take a cue from the competition as this was the only way to move the Country forward.

The climax of the event was the presentation of financial reward donated by the state government to the winners of the championship with the Anambra team winning the championship with a cash reward of N150,000, Kaduna team carted N100,000 while second runner-up Niger State had N75,000 respectively.

Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State will today officially declare open a centre for the treatment of heart-related disorders, the disease which experts said now kill more than any infectious diseases in the country.

Known as Tri-State Heart and Vascular Centre, the facility which is located right inside the faith-based institution to provide services that surpass the available cardio vascular services in the Sub-Saharan Africa is jointly put together by the university and the institute at the cost of about N2 billion.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. James Kayode-Makinde, who disclosed this on Tuesday at a pre-launch press briefing in Ilisan-Remo, said the new heart centre is designed not only to halt medical tourism but also to train more cardiologists in the country as well as to attract more expatriates to build the nation’s economy.

He said while a Fellowship programme had already been initiated at the school’s medical college to train more consultants in this field, more healthcare centres including the one for cancer patients and the medical research institutes are on the pipeline.

The vice-chancellor noted that the Tri-State Foundation which would also be launched today is aimed at raising fund from philanthropist individuals and institutions to take care of poor Nigerians suffering from heart-related diseases.

“Our plan is not to reject patients on any basis including financial difficulty,” he stressed.

Shedding more light on the disease, the President of Tri-State Cardiovascular Institute at the university, Professor Kamar Adeleke said it was disheartening that cardiovascular disorders had taken over from known infectious diseases including Malaria as the nation’s leading killer-diseases.

He explained that the situation has further shortened the life span of Nigerians to between 51 and 52 years of age compared with that of Kenyans that stand at 68 to 69.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and National Council for Adult Education (NCAE) have in conjunction with the National Mass Education Commission (NMEC) set to boost mass literacy in the North East Nigeria.

The UNESCO Regional Director Mr. Benoit Sossou, disclosed this while presenting 50 units of laptop and other learning materials to the North East Community Model Learning Centre in Bauchi.

Represented by Dr. Safiya Iliyasu, the regional director said Nigeria was currently in the process of curriculum reform to make literacy curriculum more responsive to the challenging needs of the 21st Century knowledge economy.

She noted that a recent survey in the country had put Bauchi State as one of the states with high literacy rates in the country following the persistent activities of Boko Haram members who attack people indiscriminately in the north east.

In her remark, the Chairperson, National Council for Adult Education, Professor Fatima Umar expressed confidence that the learning materials would assist towards improving mass literacy delivery in the region.

Fatima however called on women in the state to key into the literacy centre to enable them benefit from vocational training and literacy education.

Also speaking, the Provost, Bauchi Institute of Education, Prof. Garba Ibrahim Kirfi called for synergy among education stakeholders to build the capacity of adult educators and facilitators towards optimum productivity.

Speaking earlier, Executive Secretary, Bauchi State Agency for Mass Education, Hajiya Hauwa Tafawa Balewa promised that the agency would continue to intensify campaign on mass literacy education in the state.

Vice Chancellor of Landmark University, Omu Aran, Kwara State, Prof. Aize Obayan has urged Nigerians to let merit come to play in appointing ministers and other public office holders and not giving to sectional sentiments.

Such sentiments she said include political party interests, ethnic, religious and any others that would only serve narrow purposes at the expense of merit and collective desirability of the national growth in a modern world.

The vice-chancellor who was speaking in Omu Aran when members of the National Association of Oduduwa Students, NAOS, gave her an Award of Academic Icon in recognition of her successful stint of eight years at the Covenant University, Ota before moving on to Landmark University for a fresh round of administration.

According to her, President Mohammadu Buhari for instance should be given the chance to assemble those that are of needed quality and merit to constitute his cabinet as ministers in his cabinet particularly, putting round pegs in round holes based on the nominees’ background to man relevant ministries.

Professor Obayan added that the time has come for Nigerians to begin to think of a united country and no more a divided nation, pointing out that we talk of USA because Americans think of a united America.

She canvassed for a play down on sectional groups to project Niger Delta, Arewa, Biafra, Oduduwa, Middle Belt and other bodies which had not helped the principle of a united country much.

Giving a charge to youths including members of the Association of Oduduwa Students, Prof. Obayan implored them to begin to see themselves not as students, but as the ones that would be in charge of the affairs the country tomorrow.

Earlier, President of NAOS, Adekunle Adeniyi said Professor Obayan’s track record of excellence performance as the VC of Covenant University where she was rated the Best Vice Chancellor in Nigeria, (Private Universities category), which prompted fresh appointment in Landmark University after eight years sojourn in the former.

The Lagos State Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Mr. Cyril Akhanameh has disclosed that no fewer than 45 corps members who were posted to the state but absconded from their duty posts throughout the year would have to repeat the exercise except they don’t need the discharged certificates.

He disclosed this last week during the passing out parade for Batch ‘C’ corps members held at the Iyana Ipaja orientation camp of the corps.

According to him, up to 45 corps members out of the total 5,341 2014 posted to the state left their places of primary assignments for more than three months without obtaining permission and when they were issued queries to explain why, they could not give any genuine reason for their actions.

“To us as an organisation,” he stressed, “such behaviour is tantamount to indiscipline which cannot be tolerated.”

Akhanameh however pointed out that the level of punishment which would be meted out to erring individuals shall be according to their offences.

“Some may be asked to stay for another three to four months in any part of the states to be posted by NYSC,” he stressed. “The measures will serve as a disciplinary action to deter incoming corps members from doing likewise.”

Five corps members who distinguished themselves from the rest during the service year in the state were given award of excellence by the state government.

Commending the corps members for successful completion of their one –year mandatory programme, the state’s governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode charged them to be industrious and courageous to face future challenges.

Represented by the Permanent Sectary, Special Duties, Dr. Ibironke Solande, the governor asked them to go with entrepreneurial spirit, stressing that the era of waiting for white collar jobs has gone.

“Ensure you make good use of the vocational skills you have acquired in the last one year and become job creators and not job seekers,” he further counselled.

***Tasks govt, media on fight against menace

It is painful to hear that there is increase in examination malpractice by students from different parts of the world. But more pathetic is the fact that the Nigerian situation is the worst among the five West African countries that make up the West African Examination Council, WAEC, the body that conducts terminal examinations for the senior secondary school students in the sub-region.

Just penultimate week, the Head of Nigeria’s National Office of the council, Mr. Charles Eguridu raised an alarm over the grave consequences of the ignoble act perpetrated by candidates in its exams and other public examinations on the nation’s educational system and economy by extension.

Describing the menace as one of the canker worms that have eaten deep into the fabrics of the Nigerian society, Eguridu noted that the practice is cut across all levels of the nation’s education system, which comprise primary, secondary and tertiary.

According to him, “it is disheartening that despite consistent condemnation of exam malpractice in the country, especially by the council and other well-meaning stakeholders as well as various measures being put in place to arrest the social ill, it continues unabated.”

Examination malpractice, also known as cheating is the illegal action that students take during their examinations to try to make good grades by cutting corners. At times, they do this with the assistance of their parents, teachers, schools or invigilators, the condition that make the situation degenerated.

For examples, at this year’s May/June Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSSCE) conducted by WAEC, out of the total 1,593,442 candidates who sat for the exam, 118,101(representing 7.41%) were found to be involved in various exam malpractices while the figure for the year before it was 145,795(representing 8.61%) out of a total 1,705,976 candidates who sat for the edition.

The situation in the year 2012 which showed 112,000(representing 6.70%) out of the 1,672,224 candidates who sat for the same diet involved in one form of malpractice or the other was even lower in percentage over that of the subsequent three years.

The November\December edition which serves as reseat exams for external students is considered to be worse when compared to the May\June edition. For instance, out of the total 396,614 candidates who sat for the 2012 Nov\Dec edition, 47,289(representing 11.04 per cent) of them involved in cheating.

In spite of the trend however, candidates who sat for those exams have continued to record mass failure on a yearly basis in every state of the federation such that less than 40 percent on the average of the total candidates could be said to pass the exams.

For this year as an example, it was only 616,370 candidates (representing 38.68%) that obtained credit pass and above in five subjects including English language and Mathematics, the required subjects’ combination for candidates seeking admission into the tertiary institutions in and outside the country. The figures were no difference in the two years before it. While it was only 529,425 candidates (representing 31.28%) that made similar grades in 2014, that of 2013 were just 610, 334(representing 36.57%) of the total candidates.

The WAEC boss while fuming at the development while addressing members of Education Writers Association of Nigeria, EWAN, during a parley organised in its honour in Lagos, identified several reasons for candidates to indulge in the act.

The most remarkable factor according to him is what to call academic laziness or mediocrity on the part of candidates. “Some students just see malpractice as the only way to exam success because they are not sure of their independent academic capabilities to pass exam, hence, resorting to cheating,” he said.

It has also been observed by educationist that lack of good moral on the part of some teachers and parents is another factor responsible for the practice. Some teachers for instance are said to be cashing in on students ignorance to enrich their pockets at the expense of academic propriety while some parents don’t also mind going extra miles to look for the so-called miracle centres where their children can cheat.

Eguridu, while explaining that the development had also found its way in the form of corruptible practices especially in the corridors of power in the country pointed out that the council on its part had come up with various measures to prevent such occurrence.

He identified some of the measures to include but not limited to biometric capturing of candidates and embossment of passport photograph on their certificates.

With this, he becomes difficult for impersonation of candidates or counterfeiting certificates of the council.

“The council equally has the power to withhold or cancelthe entire results of candidates found culpable of cheating or delist schools or centres that involve in the practice for certain number of years or permanently according to the gravity of their offences.

“We can also prosecute candidates as well as their collaborators because of the practice,” he stressed.