Vice-Chancellor, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State, Prof. Isaac Adeyemi has called for research collaboration between public and private universities in order to foster development in the country.

He said this during the Press conference to announce activities for the institution’s tenth anniversary and 7th convocation held at the university, recently.

He said though private institutions are not part of Tertiary Education Trust Fund intervention but with research collaborations they can have access to TETFund research grant which is not adequately utilised.

On the increase of fake universities, Prof. Adeyemi said universities especially Private institutions should continue to sensitised the public about the unapproved universities.

He urged parents to always check National Universities Commission, NUC and Joint Admission Matriculation Board website for approved universities.

Listing the activities for the convocation and anniversary, the VC said there will be a symposium with the theme “Technology: Panacea for National Development on Tuesday, 3rd November, 2015.

Bells University Parents Forum seminar titled, “Encouraging Positive Students’ Attitude Towards Academic Excellence-The Role of Parents will hold on Wednesday, 4th November, 2015 while Thursday, 5th November, 2015 will be for the induction of Engineering Graduates by the Nigeria Society of Engineers.

He also disclosed that the convocation lecture titled, Bridging Technology Education Gap in 21st Century Nigeria will be delivered by the past President of the Nigeria Academy of Engineering, Emeritus Professor Sikiru Sanni on Friday, 6th November, 2015.

Highlight of the activities is on Saturday, 7th November, 2015 where the university will install a Chancellor, Alh. Ahmed Joda, award of Honourary Degrees to the chancellor and award of certificates to the first set of the institution’s postgraduate students and also first degrees to the graduating students.

The profile of the first degree awardees according to him include, First Class 21, Second class upper, 135, second class lower, 134 and Third class, 51 with a total of 341 students.

It was excitement in the faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Edo State when the graduating class of Pharmacy played a friendly match with the faculty recently as part of the activities to celebrate the final year students.

The match which was organised by the office of the Director of Sports was played at the education pitch of the university kick-off at 10am.

Right from the kick-off the zeal and enthusiasm of the players were seen all through the duration the game lasted.

Commenting on the friendly match, the coach of the faculty team Ifeanyi Ajudeonu stated that he was ready for the graduating class that even if they were graduating he was never going to let his guard down as he was never going to replicate the errors made by coaches in national football who overlook friendly matches and class them as unimportant.

“This match is as important to me as anything else. After today, the graduating class will not forget me in a hurry. I know they have fine players but I believe I am up to the task” he said.

However, emotions were high when Nabem Ambelega from the graduating class scored in the first half of the match. His goal came as an eye opener as they dominated the game all through the first half. But Peter Osayuki came to the rescue of the faculty of pharmacy by bringing in an equalizer in the second half. The match ended all draw.

Jerry Egwuchie who is also a graduating student stated that the match was an exciting experience and thanked the faculty for honoring its invitation.

No fewer than nine undergraduate programmes at the College of Education, Azare, Bauchi State in affiliation with University of Maiduguri are undergoing accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC). The courses to be accredited are English, Education, Hausa, chemistry, physics, Islamic studies, agriculture and health education, among others.

Speaking during the exercise at the college, the leader of the team, Mr. Jonathan Mari said his team was at the college to assess the level of manpower and facilities available before final approval is given to the college to run degree programmes.

Also speaking, the deputy Vice chancellor of University of Maiduguri, Professor Aliyu Shugaba who represented the Vice-Chancellor said based on the information available, the college is ranked the best among other affiliated institutions and therefore called on the management of the college to maintain the tempo.

Prof. Shugaba maintained that despite some lapses in some areas, there was hope that the degree programme from the college would scale the accreditation exercise.

He called on the state government and other relevant authorities to assist the college with increased funding and other needed infrastructures for the institution to sustain its excellence.

In his remarks, the Provost of the college, Dr. Abdullahi Muhammed Isiyaku thanked the committee for their assessment with fairness and justice and expressed hope that the accreditation would achieve positive result.

The legal instrument that established the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) was promulgated by the Federal military government on the thirteenth of February, 1978 and amended by the Decree 33 of 1989. The decree among other things empowered JAMB to conduct selection examinations for admission of candidates into all tertiary institutions nationwide. This mandate has been significantly eroded or modified over the years for many reasons. The first and most significant of the woes of JAMB was the increasingly high incidence of examination malpractice which invalidated the outcome of the exercise over the years. This necessitated the introduction of the post-university matriculation examination (Post-UME) by the individual universities in 2005 amid vigorous protests, denunciations and threats of sanctions by JAMB and her sympathisers and surrogates in the political cycle.

The second and probably more fundamental reason for modifying JAMB mandate is the perennial low patronage of the Monotechnics, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Matriculation Examination (MPCEME) which was traditionally independent of the University Matriculation Examination (UME).

In what was considered a major policy shift, the merger of the MPCEME and UME into a single UTME was hoped would provide more candidates for the monotechnics, polytechnics and colleges of education and support the mandate of these institutions to supply the middle-level manpower needs of the nation.

According to Professor Samson Ukpabi who was Chairman of the Governing Board of JAMB, the UTME is a new idea that would change the history of tertiary education for good! Contrary to expectations, enrolment into the polytechnics and COEs are declining, and rather than erase real and perceived differences between the different tertiary institutions, the differential cut-off marks only highlighted the inequalities between these institutions.

The merger of the two existing examinations into one in 2010 created such a huge population of applicants that JAMB could scarcely manage because of insufficient facilities and reliable personnel. This is the genesis of candidates being allocated to examination centres hundreds of miles away from their places of residence with the associated increased cost of transportation and accommodation, high risk of travelling long distances and occasionally arrival at the examination venues after the examinations have been concluded.

The continued poor subscription to the polytechnics and colleges of education led to the unilateral panicky usurpation of the candidates’ right to a second choice university by JAMB, with the aim of railroading them into other “needy” institution as they considered necessary. The resulting demonstrations, outcries and castigations of the JAMB institution by Nigerians were not unexpected.

Although, five relevant credits are required for admission into all tertiary institutions in Nigeria, less than half of the candidates who enrol for the UME ever possess this basic qualification. At the time the UME is conducted usually in April, most of the candidates have just commenced sitting for the SSCE and less than 40% will ultimately secure the required credits. The few who possess the requisite qualification at the time of the exercise are leftovers from previous exercises who could not secure admission due to poor performance.

Rescheduling the UTME to a later date would permit the release of the SSCE results before the examination is conducted. This would eliminate the over 60 percent of candidates who are unable to secure the required credits for admission into the tertiary institutions. This would resolve the problems of overcrowding, inadequate centres, extended examination schedules, and to some extent, the problem of examination malpractice!

The declining attraction for the polytechnics and Colleges of Education has obviously defied the phantasizing of the JAMB establishment and would remain an important cause of concern to policy makers in Nigeria. Admission cut-off marks to these institutions have to be consistently reduced in order to attract candidates. Poor quality teachers in the basic and secondary education systems are some of the natural outcomes of poor quality students admitted into the system.

It is imperative that the Colleges of Education should continue to produce middle level manpower for the rapidly expanding basic education system. It is also imperative that good quality candidates be attracted to these institutions in order to improve the quality of their output. This process is beyond the mandate and capability of the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board.

The training of technically competent personnel which is required for the very much anticipated industrial revolution has stagnated. Rather than streamline the dichotomy between the polytechnics and universities, the current admission policy has actually accentuated the differences. Other means must be sought to attract Nigerian youths to the Polytechnics and Colleges of Education in order to fulfil their traditional role in nation building.

Very difficult decisions await the next Minister of Education who is expected to emerge shortly after the completion of the Senate screening process. The mantle ultimately falls on him to set in motion the processes of resolving the many problems facing the educational sector, especially those of increasing access and improving the quality.

A Professor of Medicine and Consultant Cardiologist at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Prof. Austin Osemwengie Obasohan has said the failure of government in building a National Cardiac Centre and Institute is militating against care of patients with cardiac diseases.

The Professor also disclosed that no fewer than 3000 patients leave Nigeria monthly to India for Cardiac care at a cost of 3m Naira each have continued to drain the nation of fund despite the availability of manpower in Nigeria.

He made the observation at the 162nd inaugural lecture of the institution titled “The Heart: Natures Quintessential Creation. What goes wrong with it? People Die Suddenly! What Remedies.”

Prof Obasohan wondered why Nigeria which pride itself as the giant of Africa was yet to key fully into investment in medical care of cardiac patients revealed that smaller countries like Senegal and Ivory Coast have cardiac centres which have been running since 25 years ago.

Observing that the heart which plays a vital role in the life of a person needs special care, Obasohan stated that cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are among the leading cause of death worldwide.

He added that diseases affecting the heart could either be congenital or caused by environmental factors.

“Family history of Coronary Artery Disease, Hypertension, Heart enlargement, Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity , high level of stress, tear in Aorta, stroke, cigarette smoking are among causes of death.”

He called on the government to immediately set up a National Cardiac Institute which will be saddled with the responsibility of training staff to care for cardiac patients and practice of cardiology.

“If we must effectively tackle sudden death, then there is the need for us to always carry out autopsy in cases of sudden death, public enlightenment and advocacy in cardiac diseases. Businessmen and rich individuals should invest in healthcare. “Also, there should be total ban on foreign medical trip at government expenses,” he said.

He also stressed the need for training and retraining of specialised personnel, extension of Tertiary Education Trust Fund to cover teaching hospitals which are not only tertiary centres but also tertiary education to postgraduate doctors.

He further called on the need for training of the public in basic Life support measures, regular checkups of patients and review of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to include strategies to combat Non Communicable Disease (NCD).

In his remark, the university Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Faraday Orumwense, said inaugural lectures should be taken seriously as it is a way of showcasing Nigeria’s scholars to the world and to also provide solutions to problems affecting the nation.

Ahead of the 2015 finals of the Cowbellpedia Mathematics TV Quiz Competition, the expectations of the participating students, their teachers, as well as that of their parents have reached a feverish pitch.

Out of the 34,000 students that participated in the competition, only 12 made it to the finals.

There are six finalists in each of the junior and senior secondary school category.

Those who qualified in the junior category are: Abdulmueez Yusuf (Nigerian Turkish International College, Abuja); Munachi Ernest-Eze (Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja); Ajoke Taiwo (Scholars Universal Secondary School, Ota); Olabisi Bello (Dansol High School, Acme Crescent); Ayomide Fadipe (Loyola Jesuit College); and Evans Owamoyo (Greater Tomorrow International College, Arigidi).

Similarly, Joshua Mukot (Emilis Academy, Calabar); Inibehe Otoho (Topfaith International Secondary School, Mkpatak); Titilayo Adewale-Fasoro (Hallmark Secondary School, Itanla, Ondo State); Mariam Sanni (Ota Total Academy, Otta); Ayomide Kamaldeen (Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja); and Ayodeji Akinkuowo (Adeyemi Demonstration Secondary School, Ondo) have made it to the final stage in the senior category.

Some of them have expressed confidence about their chances of winning in the competition sponsored by Promasidor Nigeria Limited.

Ajoke for instance, said her expectation is nothing short of first position. Her counterparts, Olabisi, Ayomide and Abdumueez also expressed confidence they would win, though Olabisi, said she is a bit nervous as the finals approach.

For Evans, he said “he expects nothing less than the first position.”

Their teachers too are full of expectation that their students would come out in flying colours at the finals. For instance, Mr. Oyewole Peters, a Mathematics teacher in Adeyemi Demonstration Secondary School was confident that his candidate would emerge successful. He disclosed that his team had put in place everything required to ensure victory for his student at the contest.

Another teacher, Mr. Oyegbile Isaac Oluwagbemiga of Hallmark Second School also said, “I believe we have put everything in place, and also believe that God will give us, that is, my student and my school, the garment of glory.”

The Federal Government has been advised to take more proactive stance in combating the scourge of terrorism in the country by investing in the development and provision of bomb detector wearable devices that could be used to detect and disable explosive devises carried by suicide bombers.

The Head of Department, Computer Science, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Prof. Olumide Sunday Adewale gave the advice while delivering the institution’s 72nd inaugural lecture recently.

He emphasized that the economic development of the nation hinged on adequate security and that the current trend of suicide bombings was a great threat to foreign investors.

The don in a statement by the institution’s spokesman, Mr. Adebanjo Adebayo, stated that through a properly coordinated research and development initiative, the wearable devices worn by security operatives would be developed to have radii of operation and effectiveness such that suicide bombers within the perimeter of any security operative wearing the device would receive an alarm signal to indicate a danger around.

When this is done, he said, the operative can immediately disable the bomb before it is detonated.

Speaking on “Convergence in divergence in information technology: A symbiosis,” Prof. Adewale canvassed for a strategy that would bring together government at all levels, industry and universities for the purpose of further developing research output into viable economic and security assets for the nation.

He explained that the convergence had and would continue to have profound impact on technology, industry and the larger society and that technology convergence if appropriately managed, could play an important role in the economic and social development of any nation and ICT-based security measures.

Speaking further, the don highlighted some of the opportunities brought by technological convergence to include: traffic modelling; internet based telemedicine system; data/internet telephony integration; digital libraries; personalized e-learning system; and web based system for University undergraduate admission, selection and placement.

In his remark, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Adebiyi Daramola who was represented by the Deputy Vice- Chancellor (Academics), Professor Tunde Arayela said the choice of the lecture was apt considering the enormous security and economic related issues confronting the nation.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has assured the people of the state of his administration’s readiness to bring to a permanent end the lingering crisis rocking the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo.

Ambode gave the assurance while speaking at the inauguration of Augustine University, Ilara-Epe, Lagos State last week. He was a guest of honour at the event.

It would be recalled that the 32-year-old state-owned university has been in and out of crisis, especially between its leadership and various staff unions since over seven months without knowing when it would be resolved permanently.

It would also be recalled that the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. John Obafunwa who was chased out of the campus by the university workers since March 16 after a weeklong protest has not used his main office since then.

He disclosed that the need to resolve the protracted crisis had prompted his administration to inaugurate the new governing councils for the university and other tertiary institutions in the state.

The governor, who also reiterated his administration’s determination to invest massively in the education sector said over N1 billion had been earmarked for renovation and supply of furniture and materials to all secondary schools across the state.

He said no less than 1, 300 teachers out of several thousands who applied last month would soon be employed to teach in the stateowned primary schools.

While commending the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos for establishing Augustine University which he described as standard, Ambode said the project was the best way to prepare for the much desired positive change in education.

Ambode said considering Lagos population of about 20 million people with about 60 per cent below 35 years, the state is seriously in need of institutions of higher learning.

He noted that Augustine University, which brings the number of privately owned universities in the state to four and six universities in all, was a welcome development.

Earlier in his address, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo also commended the Catholic Church for establishing the university, saying it was a way of increasing people’s access to university education.

Represented by the Vice- Chancellor of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof Vincent Tenebe, the vice-president used the medium to reassure Nigerians of encouraging more private participation in the sector.

He however tasked the proprietor and management of the university not to compromise standard which he said Catholic Church is known for.

On his part, the Vice- Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Steve Afolami said the university would run 13 programmes for a start at two faculties with about 200 students.

Dignitaries at the event include General Theophilus Danjuma (retd); Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Augustine Kasuja; Chairman, Oluwalogbon Motors, Chief S.O. Bakare and Pro- Chancellor and chairman of Governing Council, Mr. Gilbert Grant as well as Proprietor and Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Adewale Martins, among others.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria and university administrator, Chief Wole Olanipekun, has given scholarship awards to 181 secondary, university and Law School students as part of his contributions to education advancement.

Olanipekun said during the 19th edition of the yearly Wole Olanipekun

Scholarship Award which held at his Ikere Ekiti hometown that the scheme was designed to help indigents in their academic careers.

He said there was need for education renaissance to turn around the fortunes of the sector capable of positively impacting on other sectors of the nation’s economy.

Consequently, he charged President Muhammadu Buhari to make reform of the education sector the focus of his administration for the country to have all round nothdevelopment and secured future.

Olanipekun, a former Chairman, University of Ibadan Governing Council, who lamented the lip service attention to education, cautioned that President Buhari’s quest to permanently stamp out insurgency, corruption and indiscipline would be a mirage if necessary steps targeted at holistic reform of the education sector were ignored.

He said: “The UNESCO prescribed 26 per cent, but how many states can comply with this. We cannot compare the votes to Education to that of Defence, Transport, Aviation and many others.

“It is good to secure our territories as a nation and make people safe, but the best way to secure our country would be by allow- Ajose ing quality education to thrive. Let our citizens be properly educated and I am sure every other thing shall fall in line.

“Education opens the eye of any society. So President Buhari must allow education renaissance to be the focus of his government.

“When there is proper education, people will know how to vote right and how not to be terrorists. They will shun corruption; they will be industrious and show extreme measure of patriotism to their country.

No society with proper education can be corrupted.

“The large scale social vices in our country today are as a result of serious slide in our education. So, President Buhari and all the State governors must show commitments to this renaissance by good budgetary provision annually,” he said.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayoshe, who lauded Olanipekun’s scholarship awards initiative, said: “Government alone cannot make education survive. So, we call on the parents and individuals like Chief Wole Olanipekun to continue to give back to the society.”

The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Mr Jide Eegunjobi, assured that no efforts would be spared to restore the old glory of Ekiti in the education sector, promising to relaunch the state to number one on the ladder in WAEC and NECO.

***Indigenes vow to resist move

Since feelers of the alleged merger of state owned-tertiary institutions filtered into the public domain in Osun State, it has become the talking point, giving rise to tension among the indigenes of the host communities.

Until recently, Osun has been the only state in the federation with two polytechnics namely; Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke.

The state also has Colleges of Education in Ila and Ilesa while its university, Osun State University, UniOsun, has six campuses spread across six towns, with the main campus of the institution situated in Osogbo, the state capital.

It will be recalled that both Ospoly, Iree and Oscotech, Esa-Oke, started in the early 80’s as satellite campuses of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and upon splitting of old Oyo State, the two campuses became autonomous institutions.

Also the state College of Education, Ila- Orangun, started as an arm of Oyo State College of Education before becoming a fullfledged institution in 1981, when an indigene of the town, Chief Bisi Akande was secretary to Oyo State Government.

As the host communities for the institutions over the years, the economy of the towns has revolved around spending by students and staffers of these institutions, hence the justification for the tension the alleged plot to merge the schools is generating.

Although, government has not officially announced that it would merge schools, Governor Rauf Aregbesola dropped hint about the plan to restructure all tertiary institutions in the state to reflect the realities of the moment.

He stated this at an event organised by Igbajo Polytechnic, held in Igbajo, a town in Boluwaduro Local Government area of the state on Thursday, October 22, but declined going into details of the form the restructuring would take.

But obviously not wanting to leave anything to chance, some of the host communities of Osun-owned tertiary institutions have been warning the governor not to change the status of their institutions, under the guise of restructuring.

Specifically, indigenes of Ila-Orangun and Iree towns, have taken positions against any move that can affect the status of the institutions in their towns, stressing that survival of many residents since they were established has been based on the activities around the institutions.

Addressing newsmen at a town hall meeting, an indigene of Ila-Orangun and former Registrar of Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, Prince Yemi Adeoye had recently said should any change be effected in the status of OSCE, all the benefits that have accrued to the town would be reversed.

He said they had secretly been informed that only two departments that may not have up to 500 students would be left in the town while other 14, 500 students’ population the institution currently has would be moved to another College of Education in Ilesa.

Adeoye added that the present staff strength of the institution would be reduced, if the institution was merged, adding that many residents that have invested in building hostels would lose money when present the population of staff and students goes down.

Similarly, the alumni of the institution also opposed any restructuring that may see the college losing some of its present programmes, even when such loses would be replaced by other programmes.

Taking a similar position, indigenes of Iree, the host community of the state-owned polytechnic, rejected any move that will make the institution lose any of its present programmes to the College of Technology, Esa-Oke.

But in a private chat with National Mirror, an aide to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who does not want to be mentioned because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said: “People are just speculating but Gov. Aregbesola, who is a serious strategist will do proper evaluation of the situation before taking steps.

“He cannot merge the institutions but people are getting everything wrong about our plans for these institutions. Visit these institutions, you will agree with me that something urgent must be done to prevent their total collapse.

“Baba Akande, the first national chairman of APC hails from Ila-Orangun. Pillar of progressive governance in Nigeria, late Chief James Ajibola Ige, hailed from Esa- Oke, another important political figure from the state, Chief Sunday Afolabi, hailed from Iree. All the institutions being talked about are located in the towns that gave these men to the humanity.

“It is almost a taboo for anyone to think of merging them, but having said that, Gov. Aregbesola is not thinking about the short term benefits the current culture of exploitation of students by many members of the host communities encourages.

“Aregbesola is giving the institutions at tention now to restructure for effective performance and prevent duplication to prevent leakages and ensure students have maximum benefits from what is available in our schools. People should not get unduly apprehensive but should wait and behold another beautiful product of fecund mind of the governor.

Governor Aregbesola’s spokesman, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, in an official reaction to the alleged plans to merge the institutions, said government would not merge them but said there was urgent need to effect restructuring in the operations of the institutions.

Okanlawon, who warned against misinterpretation of government plans to cause rancour, insisted that in whatever decision Mr. Governor would take on the matter, common interest of the people and long term welfare of the people would be giving priority

…competition focuses on environmental protection

Twenty finalists from secondary schools across the country smiled home with awards of cash prizes and scholarships, last Tuesday, for this year’s prestigious National Art competition organised by NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture for Nigerian Secondary school students.

The competition which attracted 600 entries from 400 schools across the country was brought to a climax with the announcement that 16 year-old Ukaegbu Christopher of Hallel College Boarding, Port Harcourt has emerged the 2015 overall winner, carting away the cash prize of N100,000 and a one year scholarships in the same amount. Abel Joshua a JSS 3 student of Oto Awori Junior Grammar School, Oto-Awori, Lagos State also emerged winner for the junior category of the competition.

Welcoming guests to the event, the Chairman/ Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) Mr. Clay Neff represented by Mr Steeve Freman, the company’s Director of Gas, described the competition as one of the activities by CNL dedicated to enhancing the quality of art education in Nigerian secondary schools.

“Our aim is to raise and sustain students’ interest in the study of fine and creative arts while also promoting the spirit of healthy competition,” he said.

Mr Neff was particularly pleased with the standard of this year’s edition of the competition. He recounted:“In 2005, when Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) set out to organize the maiden edition of this competition, we had no doubt that it was going to be a success. That was because we knew that Nigeria is blessed with talented young men and women.

“Ten years down the road, the level of success and acceptance is truly astounding. This year, we had hundreds of exceptional entries out of which our judges have chosen the most outstanding twenty for the purpose of prize-giving.

“It shows how well the competition has gone in providing our kid-artists, a veritable platform of artistic expression. It is important to note that former winners of the competitor have gone ahead to higher institutions to study fine arts, graphic design, engineering and other courses.”

He added that the theme for this year’s competition – Protecting People and the Environment – aligned with the company’s Core Values, which is part of its efforts to further create awareness on the importance of sustainable environment.

“For Chevron, responsible treatment of the environment is fundamental for doing business in Nigeria and everywhere else in the world. We consistently apply tested principles and practices in finding and producing hydrocarbon to ensure minimal impact on the ecosystem. We care about the environment and are committed to be part of the solution to global environmental issues.”

In a goodwill message, the acting Permanent Secretary, Mrs H.U. Abdullahi, represented by the Principal, Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba, Lagos, Rev. Chris. Ugoji, disclosed that the education ministry had supported the competition right from its inception “not only because of its focus in children who are future leaders but for the realization that Art Education is important to human development.

“This competition is one of the programmes that would complement our efforts in stimulating our children’s interest in Fine Art,” she further said.

In her remark, the Lagos First Lady, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, represented by Mrs Abiodn Olajumoke Opeifa congratulated the winners and finalists of the competition and urged them not to rest on their oars. She further enjoined them to help spread their superior knowledge to other students not only in art, but also in also other subjects.

Nigerians appear to be unanimous on the poor state of the Nigerian educational sector. Curiously, however, some eminent Nigerians now and then voice opinions to the contrary. The latest of these is the recent pronouncement by Professor Adebayo Adeyemi, suggesting that all is well with the Nigerian educational system. In his opinion “despite claims of fallen standard in the country’s education system, the products of Nigerian institutions compare favourably with their peers on the international stage”. Coming from a person of his status as Vice Chancellor of Bells University of Technology Ota in Ogun State, and current Chairman of the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Registrars of private universities in Nigeria, this statement can potentially cause confusion about the actual state of the educational sector and scuttle efforts to amend the situation.

The honourable professor came to this conclusion on observations that Nigerians who travel abroad to do post graduate studies usually excel in their studies. It is true that many Nigerians that travel abroad for post-graduate studies actually excel in their chosen fields of study; this has been my observations too but cannot justify the conclusion that the system has not collapsed. I would like to point out to the honourable professor that this group represent a minority of the products of our educational system for which we can scarcely take credit.

It is no secret that the standard of education which I will like to define as the value added to the life of an individual as a result of interactions with the educational system in Nigeria has continued to depreciate over the years. As I have alluded to in this forum sometime earlier, the majority of the products of our primary school system cannot read and write. I have personally been confronted with a public secondary school in my home state, which incidentally was the only one in that locality, where the teachers have resorted to the use of the Queen Primer to teach the articulation of two and three letter words to students of JSS classes I-III. We had to contribute our widows’ mite to the purchase and distribution of these pamphlets to those who could not afford it; and that was only last year! We cannot be permitted to doubt that the standard of education has fallen if pupils fail to imbibe the rudiments of education after six years contact with the primary school system.

How can the youngsters start to appreciate the intricacies of the sciences and mathematics if they are still grappling with such rudiments of pedagogy? The problem for many Nigerian students is that there is no foundation on which to lay the fundamental principles of science and technology, which is the golden fleece of aspiring modern nations.

The poor standard of education is also very visible in the declining performance of candidates in the Senior School Certificate Examinations. In the recent past, the performance had dipped below the ten percent pass rate and only just approaching the 40% mark in the last few years. Even so, it is not possible to attribute the improvement to any improvement in the teaching and learning process because of the all-pervasive examination malpractice.

The West African Examination Council recently revealed that Nigeria had the highest incidence of examination malpractice in 2015 leading to the withholding of the results of over 118,000 candidates.

However, these cases represent only the tip of the iceberg in what has become a national calamity. The transformation of many public and private secondary schools into “miracle centres” in public glare has highlighted the impotency or lack of resolve of the establishment to rein in this monster called examination malpractice!

Many pupils who are scarcely able to read transit from the primary through the secondary school system into the universities, thanks to the nearly illiterate teachers who are products of the tertiary institutions. The selection process for admission of candidates into the tertiary institutions orchestrated by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has been plagued by maladministration, incompetence and examination malpractice. Despite the introduction of the Post-UTME by the tertiary institutions, the quality of admissions in many tertiary institutions have only improved marginally due to the unhampered examination malpractice and unauthorized concessional admission which now constitutes a significant feature of the admission process. The impact of the poor quality candidates admitted into the universities and other tertiary institutions is even more pronounced in the quality of teachers produced. Unresolved aversion of applicants for the teaching profession has forced the continued channelling of candidates rejected in other institutions and disciplines into the Colleges of Education and the Faculties of Education of the universities, the continued production of poor quality teachers and the maintenance of the vicious circle of poor quality products.

Overcrowded facilities, lack of equipment, poor administration, poor fund management, misplaced priorities, poor quality lecturers with poor attitudes, and corrupt practices have relegated Nigerian universities to the backbench. The sum total of these indices is that no Nigerian university is among the first ten in Africa, and only one among the first 30 according to the 4 International Colleges and Universities (4ICU) ranking of universities in Africa!

There is no doubt that the education sector is plagued by multiple problems. Let all unite to chip away at them in a systematic manner.

President, Animal Care Services Konsult Nigeria Limited, Lagos, Dr. Olatunde Agbato has said that empowerment of children through quality education and conducive learning environment could transform communities and the nation.

Agbato who was the chairman on the occasion was represented by Mrs. Olutomi Abdulkareem stated this during the 25th anniversary celebration of Babcock University Staff School, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State held at the school premises recently.

According to him, parents and teachers play significant roles in providing a positive learning environment conducive for the holistic education of the children.

He used the opportunity to commend the teaching and non teaching staff, parents and the community for their continued support of the school.

Speaking during the occasion, the chairperson of Babcock University Schools Management Board, Dr. Janet Ola urged the government to give education and adequate remuneration of teachers’ priority in order to move the nation forward.

She also said that education authorities should organise certificate programmes for teachers as it is done abroad and also make health insurance available for them and their families.

As a way of boosting their morale for better performance at work and other endeavours, teachers in Federal Science and Technical College, FSTC, Yaba, Lagos who have any of their children as student of the college are now to be paying half of the levies the school’s Parent- Teacher Association charged members.

The chairperson of the association, Mrs. Oby Igwillo disclosed this at the school’s World Teachers’ Day celebration held last Thursday and sponsored by the group. According to her, nothing would be too much to give to teachers as a way of encouraging them to do more at work more so that many of them are not well paid. “They are the ones taking good care of our children. They impart on them knowledge and skills that help them positively as they grow older in life,” she added. “And that is why we have also taken it upon ourselves to celebrate them together with their non-teaching staff counterparts every year by rewarding them with gifts.”

During this occasion, many teaching and non-teaching staff including those at the management cadre who are found to be exceptional year-round at work usually go home with one type of gift or the other depending on their levels.

Speaking on the delay in the completion of the ongoing 1,000- bed space girls’ hostel project, Igwillo said the association had resolved to expedite action on the project and complete it before the end of this year.

“We believe the hostel facility will greatly ease the accommodation problem facing the college and therefore no more delay,” she assured.

While declaring that the congress and not the leadership makes decisions for the association, Igwillo noted that PTA had become a formidable supporter of government not only at FSTC but in other public schools nationwide in the provision of sound and qualitative education at all levels.

“That is why PTAs like ours embark on hostel projects, renovation of structures as well as hiring and remuneration of some teachers and support-staff for schools,” she stressed.

In his remark, the Principal of the college, Rev. Chris Ugorji, who appreciated PTA for celebrating the teachers and other workers in the college, disclosed that the management had made a u-turn by ready to convert another classroom to hostel to be able to accommodate more students.

He said with the new arrangement, all students especially the new intakes who so desired in application would be allocated bed space in the hostel. He noted that the multi-purpose hall in the college would now serve as temporary classrooms pending when the hostel under construction would be open for use.

The principal, who is a director in the ministry, used the occasion to urge his junior colleagues and other categories of workers to remain focus and more dedicated to their duties.

As part of its commitment to the celebration and promotion of academic excellence, the Learn Africa Education Development Foundation has concluded plans to honour candidates that posted outstanding performances during the June/July 2015 Senior Secondary School certificate Examination conducted by the National Examination Council, NECO.

Some of their teachers and the schools that produced them will also receive various awards of excellence.

The company in a statement fixed between November 17 and December 2 this year for the award presentations in Lagos and there would be national and state awards.

It explained that the national awards would go to the overall best three candidates: Alabi Philip Toluwase of Our Lady & St Francis Catholic College, Osogbo, Osun State (first position); Nwaoha Justin Ifeanyi of Isolog College, Ojodu, Lagos State (second position) and Babalola David Oluwasayo of Oritamefa Baptist Model School, Ibadan, Oyo State (third position).

The people of Osaragada community in Adavi Local Government area of Kogi State have appealed to the state government to establish a secondary school and provide desks for the only primary school in the area.

The community made the call at the 2nd annual community stakeholders’ forum on “promoting women and young people’s rights through knowledge building and community.” The event was held within the community primary school premises.

The programme was funded by the European Commission (EC) and implemented by the ActionAid Nigeria in collaboration with Kogi-based Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development (PIBCID).

Spokesman of the community and chairman of the community development association, Mr. Umaru Akande disclosed that one of the two classroom blocks in the primary school was provided through intervention by the ActionAid Nigeria and PIBCID.

Akande noted that the roof of the block provided by government was blown off by rainstorm in July, this year and the structure had remained like that without a roof thereby forcing all the pupils irrespective of grade to fill-up the available block of four classrooms.

The community leader also solicited the assistance of the government and non-governmental organisations in establishing a secondary school and primary healthcare centre in the area to meet their educational and health needs.

On her part, Mrs. Hajarat Ademu, ActionAid Nigeria Programme Officer, Women’s Rights Unit said the community’s demands would be looked into.

Alhaji Mas’ud Elellu, a former Director at the Industrial Training Fund and Rector Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin speaks to DARE AKOGUN on admission challenges facing the institution and what to do to bring parity between the first degree and HND holders in the country.

What have you done so far since you assumed office as a rector six years ago?

By the grace of God, my administration has done so many things for this polytechnic. I will only mention just a few of them for now. On assumption of duty, we initiated a 3-point agenda for the proper management of the institution namely; staff orientation and development, infrastructural development and students’ welfare.

Before I was appointed, I was the only staff who had ever travelled abroad in the college. The story has changed today. Through the staff development programme, about 300 staffers have so far been sponsored by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) for overseas training. That is a good exposure for them and I must also say, it has enhanced their performance at work.

The training has two faces. Some went for Masters and PhD programmes while others went for seminars and conferences.

Another area of interest is Staff Industrial Training, where certain numbers of staff proceed on Industrial Training in industries across the country during the long vacation. The experience gathered at the industries will be imparted on the students and this has helped the staff to update their knowledge with new innovations and best practices.

After the successful completion of the training, the school also organised a stakeholders meeting that involved National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) officials, Nigeria Labour Congress representatives, educationists and education administrators like the commissioner for education, industrialists and heads of tertiary institutions in the state and a host of others.

The stakeholders meeting came up with resolutions like funding and equipping the technical colleges to serve as catchment areas for the polytechnic students in order to move away from Humanity courses to achieve the real aim of establishing polytechnics and science and technology based institutions.

Some said that the external people were the ones dictating to the polytechnic on who to admit into various programmes, what do you have to say about this?

Let me state this sound and clear Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin would not bow to any external influence in offering admissions to students this year. We have set up a mechanism that eliminates all influences including human in the cause of selecting candidates for admission into programmes. And this mechanism has since commenced. The polytechnic is having admission challenges because it has become more attractive to prospective candidates in the recent time and this is due to its uninterrupted academic calendars for the last five years.

Sir, we don’t use to hear about cultists and their activities in this polytechnic, what happens?

The seemingly peaceful atmosphere and reduction of vices in the institution could largely be as a result of the inclusion of students in the scheme of things that affects them in the institution. This approach show that students also matter in the day-to-day running of the school.

It is a common phenomenon in Nigerian higher institutions that students’ union election is usually brutal because of vested interest from certain quarters, but since my assumption of office as rector in 2009, about five SUG elections had been held under peaceful atmosphere because the management gave them free hands to choose their leaders.

The institution always takes part in the election of union leaders by supervising the whole process from beginning to the end, where elections were held in auditorium, ballot boxes were placed in front of the rector and the counting done in the full glare of the students.

After the process, the losers will openly congratulate the winners and things will continue from there.

The management did not only give them free hand but went a little bit further, especially in the area of managing their funds and instilled the sense of responsibility in every SUG government in such a way that the SUG levies is put as part of school fees.

Management handover the money but always task them to present a proposal on how the money will be spent, and they have been forthcoming embarking on numerous projects within the school for the usage and benefits of the students.

It is worthy to mention that all full-time students of this polytechnic now have access to quality healthcare services through registration in the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS.

The students can access the service anywhere in the country once they present their students’ identity cards. This was part of the institution’s effort to improve students’ welfare and ensure they are learning under a friendly environment.

Another area of interest is the introduction of Entrepreneurship Development Centre. This is also to take care of the students’ future, especially in the acquisition of special skill. The Entrepreneurship Centre trains every student on an area of interest to acquire one skill or the other so that the students will not be job seekers but job creators in the future.

The management is also proposing a new hostel accommodation for its increasing student population that would be financed by a World Bank organisation.

We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the organisation on the proposed hostel project. The growing student population had grown beyond that at the inception of the hostels constructed in the 1970s, which are obsolete.

These hostels are not only old but inadequate, costing the institution a lot of money in maintenance.

The seemingly dichotomy between Bsc and HND holders in the country has been a matter of discuss in different fora for a very long time, how do you think this can be resolved?

The unconstitutional dichotomy created between university and polytechnic graduates to absence of industries caused by some people in Nigeria for their own selfish interest.

This dichotomy became visible when manufacturing companies that hitherto look out to employ polytechnic graduates started folding up. There shouldn’t be an issue on the discrepancies because each certificate should carve a niche for itself based on the difference in the method of acquiring knowledge.

The kind of knowledge been impacted in the polytechnics is purely practical oriented which enables the students to have hands on experience on what they are being taught in the classrooms, while the university knowledge is largely theoretical.

We should not be talking about disparities because each based on how the curriculum is designed. If Nigerian economy is buoyant enough as it used to be in the 70s, no polytechnic graduates will be looking for job in the public sector.

Government as a matter of economic strategy, should stimulate the economy such that the industries and factories will also grow and by encouraging entrepreneurship and provide friendly environment for private sector.

So that the HND holders will have enough place to practice their skills, and there will not be need to struggle for ministries work that is already not even enough for the university graduates.

Following the rising number of malnourished children in Gombe State as indicated by recent findings, one sure way of getting the government to take action is by mobilizing children to be on the vanguard of the campaign against malnutrition and recognition of other rights of children for teh purpose of securing their future.

This is reason a non-governmental organisation-Save the Children- has taken the campaign to secondary schools with the inauguration of the Child Rights Club at Government Day Secondary School, Ahmadu-Gombe in Gombe metropolis.

Inaugurating the club, Mr. Ifedilichukwu Innocent, the Advocacy and Campaign Coordinator of the group, said the aim of setting the club was to allow children to speak for themselves on issues that concern their future both academically and otherwise.

According to him, Save the Children feels that efforts at giving children a better future is by allowing them speak for themselves rather than adults making the advocacy all the time.

He said, “Nobody is expected to stop them from expressing their rights as we intend for them to sit and dialogue with members of the state legislature of Gombe State. This voice from the children is not going to be for Gombe children alone but also for other children from the rural and hinterlands.”

Responding, President of the Club, Sagir Hassan promised to mobilise other students in advocating for the rights of children especially the downtrodden ones.

Earlier, school’s Principal, Mallam Ismail Hussaini thanked the group for making his school a pilot scheme in the state and promised to put hands together with all stakeholders to ensure the attainment of the set objectives.

… Condemn govt attempt to ban activism

Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo is synonymous with crises and the recent one is between the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John Obafunwa and the staff unions comprising the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

The vice-chancellor was pelted with sachets of water and forced out of the university while preparing for the convocation ceremony of the university some months ago.

The unions last week disclosed to journalists at the institution, activities according to them aims at warding off evil in LASU, which include a seven days prayer and fasting for all members of staff, joint press conference, symposium on statute and conditions of service in an ideal university, university autonomy and academic freedom as well as declaring LASU Independence Day marked with festivities and fun fair.

According to ASUU-LASU Chairman, Dr. Adekunle Idris, the seven-day activities is designed to bring to an end the administration of Prof. Obafunwa, stressing that his four-year-tenure is that of pains and anguish for students and members of staff.

He described the period as deeply rooted in fundamental problems of gross incompetence, disregard for rules, acts of impunity and perversion of justice among others.

“Worst of all is the orchestrated plan to clinically exterminate our great union and implement the obnoxious UNILORIN model in our university- a model that makes members of staff not only voiceless but also intimidated and subdued.

The union leader however appreciated the efforts made by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akiwunmi Ambode for his readiness to halt festering leadership crisis in the university as expressed in recent inauguration of the 10th Governing Council.

Idris said the appointment of a serving renowned erudite scholar and Professor Bayo Ninalowo and many academics on the governing council is a laudable step in the right direction.

He equally described as silver-lining in the horizon, the on-going effort of the state House of Assembly in reviewing the university’s extant laws to accommodate Vice-Chancellors for one term of five years, saying these are commendable efforts that would engender peace and harmony in the university.

He however urged the state government on a number of urgent steps to be taken in order to insulate the university of ill-luck which include, adoption and implementation of the Universities Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 2012, 70 years retirement age for academic staff on the professorial cadre and 65 years for nonacademic staff.

Others include payment of the 45 percent balance of the increment in salary arrears, due since 2009, immediate reissuance of the maliciously withdrawn PhD certificate of the ASUU-LASU Chairman, Dr. Adekunle Idris, Promotion of all members who are due since the promotion exercise of 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 sessions among others.

On the appointment of the new Vice-Chancellor, which post has been advertised earlier, Idris said the ideal Vice Chancellor for LASU must possess the following attributes: God fearing, a scholar of international repute that has wide experience within the academic community.

“Such a person must have human feelings, someone that understands human capital development, high emotional intelligence and not just academic scholar, creative enough to generate internal revenue”, he said.

The ASUU-LASU chair also urged the Lagos State government to follow due process in the selection of new Vice-Chancellor for the university by inviting the first three candidates to address staff which would expose their true character through body language.

Idris said staff would do everything in their capability to launder the image of LASU particularly using sports, emphasis to be placed on acquiring best stars in each sport via scholarships and concessional admission policy, government and private sponsorship for sporting events and active participation in sporting events to bring LASU positive focus and limelight.

On his part, SSANU-LASU Chairman, Mr. Saheed Oseni urged the Governing Council on the following, reinstatement of wrongly sacked 44 members of nonteaching staff, approval and promotion of staff, payment of salaries of staff unjustifiably placed on interdiction, reinstatement of the payment of cheque-off dues unlawfully stopped to union and reversal of irregular appointment at the university Health Centre, among others.

Chairman of Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), Albert Agosu on his own part welcome members to the special and remarkable exodus of Prof Obafunwa, stressing that what led the University to where it is presently could be established in the truism “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts.”

… as university turns out 65 First Class

Whenever he has the opportunity, the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola talks boldly and passionately about his love for quality university education for Nigeria.

He has expressed this love many times at public fora hinging his reason, among others on the fact that it is only through quality education that Nigeria can attain socio-economic prosperity that will enable it competing favourably with other developed nations of the world.

Babalola, a famous lawyer and self-made man having sponsored himself throughout his education career has again re-echoed this thinking while addressing the audience at the 3rd convocation and sixth founder’s day ceremonies of ABUAD held in Ado- Ekiti recently.

After congratulating the graduating students totaling 736 from which 65 graduated with First Class honours in various disciplines, Babalola proudly told the audience that he established ABUAD based on that philosophy.

He however mentioned two eminent Nigerians who triggered his interest in establishing the university where he is now bringing his dream to fruition.

They are former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega according to him.

Explaining their respective roles towards the establishment, Babalola said, “During Obasanjo’s second term in office, he was miffed by the spate of corruption at University of Lagos (UNILAG) Akoka and he sent me there as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council to stem the spate of corruption. And with the cooperation of other members of the council and the management, I turned the place around for the better so much that I won the Best Pro-Chancellor Award twice while the university was also voted as the Best in the country then.

“During the period,” we explained further, “I have the privilege of seeing the rot and decay in our educational landscape first hand and the condition was not only incredible, but unacceptable for me. This propelled me to establish my own university which is a model today.

“As for Prof. Jega, he was the Chairman of the Visitation Panel to UNILAG in 2004 to evaluate what the university had done in the previous four years. Despite that I was absent throughout the visit, the panel had the following, among others to say about my person, thus: “The Chairman of council acted commendably by paying his bills anytime he chose to stay in a hotel and by donating his sitting allowances to the University’s Endowment Fund,” “The leadership style of the chairman was exemplary,” “The leadership style of the council was characterised by optimum time and resource utilisation and a good team spirit.”

This is Aare Babalola’s story. The story of what prompted him to come to the then jungle that housed all kinds of dangerous animals to site ABUAD, which is today, regarded as a fastest growing private university in Africa and a model for other universities.

Aare Babalola, who is also a big-term farmer noted that, ABUAD since inception, had never deviated from pursuing excellence, the condition he said had continued to make the university remaining on top in the training of well-rounded students. Students who would not be found wanting in skills, character, punctuality, dressing, comportment and respect for constituted authorities upon graduation.

However, the legal luminary pointed out that the achievement was not a product of his solo effort but combining with that from his committed and dedicated management and members of staff.

ABUAD in a serene environment six years down the line can boast of parading first-class infrastructural facilities, wellequipped laboratories and other facilities that is conducive for learning and teaching. And in making these human and material resources to achieve their purpose, the university is jealously guided the students to success.

“So, ABUAD is the only known university in the country” according to the founder “that makes it compulsory for students to be in class between 8:00am and 3:00pm and between 7:00 and 10:00pm on daily basis to learn, study and do research.

Aare Babalola however thanked parents for choosing the university for their children despite its newness among numerous older universities, saying their decision is a well-thought one.

“Students in ABUAD graduate on record time with sound knowledge and skills that can make them compete favorably with their peers anywhere in the world,” he stressed.

In his own, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Michael Ajisafe spoke on some testimonies so far recorded by the university within its short time in existence.

He noted that graduates coming out from the university are assets to the economy.

According to him, in addition to the deep and thorough education received by our students in their various disciplines, they are also equipped with good leadership and entrepreneurial skills as well as good character.

While reaffirming that the university is a template for Engineering Education in the country as acknowledged by the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), the vice-chancellor disclosed that the students as well as staffers have won various local and international laurels for the university.

“Four of our students are dubbed Team LifeWatch for inventing AtshmaVisor, a device to manage Asthma, particularly in children declared as African Champions in this year’s Microsoft Imagine Cup finals in the US. While my humble self joined seven other academics from across the globe to win this year’s Golden European Award for Quality and Business Prestige in Education sphere in Nigeria held in Rome,” he said proudly.

ABUAD at the convocation which has Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State among other high profile personalities in attendance conferred honourary doctoral degrees on four eminent Nigerians who have contributed so much to their respective fields and humanity. They are the immediate past Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega; the former Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Justice Emmanuel Ayoola (retd); the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Dr. Mathew Hassan Kukah and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III.

While Jega and Ayoola were conferred with Doctor of Public Administration and Doctor of Law, respectively, both Kukah and Alaafin of Oyo were conferred with Doctors of Letters.

They were all expressed happiness for the honour as well as for becoming alumni of the university. Jega for instance, said “I am very proud to be an alumnus of ABUAD.”

He however commended the founder for not only establishing ABUAD, but for also putting all known efforts in ensuring that the university takes the lead in the country.

“Aare Afe Babalola is an inspiring leader, a great Nigerian, who takes courses and pursues them passionately. It is to the credit of humanity and to all Nigerians that he is taken education and has pursued it passionately to establish ABUAD. And so, from what I have seen and learnt so far, I have no doubt that give it another five years, ABUAD will be one of the best universities in the world,” Jega said.