Education News Update for Friday 1st March 2024

Here are the headlines as they where published in the dailies today.

The Nation

2023 private WASSCE results

On a cursory examination, details of the results of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates just released by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) indicate that the performance was below average and unimpressive. Out of a total of 80,904 candidates that sat for the examination in 568 centres across the country, 35,830 candidates representing 44.29% obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

The total number of candidates who had credits in five subjects, with or without English Language and Mathematics, was 46,267 representing 57.19%. This is significant because tertiary institutions across the country require that students secure credits in a minimum of five relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics for virtually all courses of study. Read more: https://thenationonlineng.net/2023-private-wassce-results/

Nigeria needs more tertiary institutions, says Nwobodo

Former governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, has said the number of universities and tertiary institutions in Nigeria cannot be too many, considering the population of youths in the country.

He made the remark in his home at Amechi, in Enugu South Local Government of Enugu State, where the national leadership of the Federal Polytechnic Oko Alumni Association, presented him with the Founders Award.

The elder statesman, responding to questions from reporters on the quality of tertiary institutions springing up across the country, said the number of universities in the country was not yet commensurate with the population of the country and the demand gap. Read more: https://thenationonlineng.net/nigeria-needs-more-tertiary-institutions-says-nwobodo/

Fed Govt develops four-year secondary school’s strategic plan

The Federal Government has developed a four-year strategic plan for senior secondary education in Nigeria (2024 –2027) in line with the ongoing efforts to reposition secondary education in the country.

The government also owed to ensure strict enforcement of the National Minimum Standards for senior secondary education in Nigeria.

It said severe sanctions would be applied to both partial and non-implementation by schools. Read more: https://thenationonlineng.net/fed-govt-develops-four-year-secondary-schools-strategic-plan/

VP Shettima to speak at UMA Pre-Ramadan lecture

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima will lead other eminent personalities to the 29th Annual Pre-Ramadan lecture of the University of Lagos Muslim Alumni (UMA) on Sunday at Ade Ajayi (Main) Auditorium, UNILAG, Akoka, Lagos.

Chairman, Organising Committee, Alhaji Abdul Fatah Bakare in a statement, said other guests expected include Deputy President-General (South), Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA)/President-General, Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) cum Chairman, Board of Trustees, UMA, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo; Principal and Founder, Yusuf O. Ali & Co, Prof. Yusuf Ali (SAN); Olota of Ota in Ogun State Oba (Prof.) Adeyemi Obalanlege; ,Vice Chancellor, UNILAG, Prof. Folashade Ogunsola and UMA President, Prof. Khalid Adekoya.

Bakare said the theme “Economic Reforms for Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects for the Future,” is meant to address the current challenge facing the country. Read more: https://thenationonlineng.net/vp-shettima-to-speak-at-uma-pre-ramadan-lecture/

‘Merging Army varsity with NDA will aid battle against Boko Haram’

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has urged the Federal Government to reconsider merging the Army University at Biu in Borno State with the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna.

The governor also urged the government to allow the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM) in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, to remain as it is, instead of being a department in the Ministry of Agriculture.

Zulum said these while addressing reporters yesterday in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

This was also captured in ThisDay Live and Allmedia 24

FUTO student dies, others wounded in cult clash

Astudent of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) Owerri has been reportedly killed and several others injured in a cult-related incident.

The incident took place on Friday morning when students from Imo State University (IMSU) reportedly entered the FUTO campus in a motorcycle convoy, leading to a confrontation.

This was also captured in The Punch, Legit, Naija News, Daily Post and The Will News

The Punch

13 BIU graduates bag first class in bar examJUST IN: SSANU, NASU threaten strike over withheld salaries

Thirteen graduates from the Faculty of Law of Benson Idahosa University have bagged first class at the 2023 Nigerian Law School Bar examination.

BIU’s Head of Communication, Temi Esonamunjor, on Thursday, told South-South PUNCH that the bar examination was conducted on November 2023 and the result was released on February 14.

He said, “We are proud to announce that 13 graduates from the Faculty of Law, Benson Idahosa University, bagged first class at the 2023 Nigerian Law School Bar examination. Read more: https://punchng.com/13-biu-graduates-bag-first-class-in-bar-exam/

NUT differs as Reps recommend drug test for students

The House of Representatives, on Thursday, called for compulsory drug tests for secondary school students in the country given the incessant cases of substance abuse by young Nigerians.

But in a swift response, the Nigeria Union of Teachers opposed the idea.

The NUT General-Secretary, Dr Mike Ike-Ene, in an interview with The PUNCH, said, “I don’t see drug test as a solution to control drugs, they should talk about children who are out of school. Even if you tested them, bringing them back to school will give us a better advantage.” Read more: https://punchng.com/nut-differs-as-reps-recommend-drug-test-for-students/

SSANU, NASU threaten strike over withheld salaries

The Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions have threatened to disrupt industrial peace in universities should the government fail to release the withheld salaries of members.

The salaries were seized by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari during their strike in 2022.

The unions, in a joint letter signed on Friday by the President of SSANU, Muhammed Ibrahim and General Secretary of NASU, Peters Adeyemi, questioned the rationale with which the government released four months withheld salaries to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities but failed to release the withheld salaries of non-academic staff.

This was also captured in Daily Post

ThisDay Live

House Seeks Mandatory Drug Testing for Secondary School Students

The House of Representatives, yesterday, urged the Federal Ministries of Education and Health to collaborate and develop a mandatory drug testing programme for secondary school students in Nigeria.

It also urged the National Orientation Agency and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to increase awareness about substance abuse among secondary school students nationwide.

These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion on the Need to Introduce Mandatory Drug Testing for Secondary School Students in Nigeria moved by Hon. Moshood Olanrewaju Oshun at plenary on Thursday.

Oshun noted that adolescence was a critical period for drug abuse, influenced by factors such as experimental curiosity, peer pressure, poor socio-economic conditions at home and the need for extra energy for daily activities. Read more: https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2024/03/01/house-seeks-mandatory-drug-testing-for-secondary-school-students

Over 2,000 Students Empowered as Tech Outfits Take Training to UNN

Over 2000 students of University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) in Enugu State were trained in emerging technologies and skills by TechyJaunt and CP.Hub Sahara.

TechyJaunt is a leading community of tech enthusiasts committed to onboarding, educating and training individuals in emerging technologies and tech skills.

ICP.Hub Sahara is the official hub for Internet Computer protocol in West Africa. Read more: https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2024/03/01/over-2000-students-empowered-as-tech-outfits-take-training-to-unn

Business Day

Nigerian classes struggle with basic tech amid AI age

While artificial intelligence garners significant attention in today’s technology discussions, Nigeria still struggles to leverage basic technologies to provide education to many learners, including children in underserved communities.

The latest estimates from the Global Education Monitoring Report and the UNESCO Institute for Statistics reveal that in 2021, 244 million children and youth aged 6 to 18 worldwide were still unable to attend school.

Sub-Saharan Africa continues to face the greatest challenge, with 98 million children and young people excluded from education, followed by Central and Southern Asia with 85 million. Read more: https://businessday.ng/news/article/nigerian-classes-struggle-with-basic-tech-amid-ai-age/

Nigerian curriculum needs upgrade to drive tech adoption

Some stakeholders have expressed concerns that the academic curricula in Nigerian educational institutions are not ideal in bringing learners to par with their counterparts globally.

Unwana Samuel, a lecturer at the University of Lagos, believes that AI and digital education have come to stay, and Nigeria’s current education curriculum does not have what it takes to drive its adoption.

To address this, he said: “The government should review the curriculum; other countries have modified theirs to accommodate AI because it is a new reality and a very big challenge to the sector these days.” Read more: https://businessday.ng/news/article/nigerian-curriculum-needs-upgrade-to-drive-tech-adoption/

Rotary Club equips 400 students with study aids

Rotary Club of Laderin Hilltop, Abeokuta has partnered with Rotary Club of Milton, Ontario, Canada to equip over 400 students at St John Anglican Primary School, Kuto and Agunbiade Victory High School in Ogun State with science textbooks and exercise books.

The primary school students got exercise books, mathematics and science textbooks while the secondary school students were given physics, chemistry, and biology textbooks and exercise books, according to a statement.

Adejisola Atiba, president of Rotary Club of Milton, Ontario, Canada said the intervention was aimed at collaborating with the government and investing in the future of the youths. Read more: https://businessday.ng/companies/article/rotary-club-equips-400-students-with-study-aids/

UCA News

Australian Catholic University training Nigerian lay ministers

The Australian Catholic University’s Center for Liturgy offered a training program for lay liturgical ministers of the Word in Nigeria. The program, delivered online, aims to equip participants with spiritual and technical skills needed to effectively proclaim the Word and serve in their ministry.

The four-week program, conducted throughout February, covered topics such as liturgy, the Bible, the church’s liturgical year, and the documents and guidelines of the universal church. The program also addressed the specific needs and challenges of the church in Nigeria, such as the translation of the Bible, pastoral practice and cultural diversity.

Cathy Murrowood, liturgy educator at the ACU Center for Liturgy, told OSV News that the program was designed in consultation with the parish leaders in Nigeria, who expressed interest in a comprehensive and relevant training program from a dedicated liturgical center. Read more: https://www.ucanews.com/news/australian-catholic-university-training-nigerian-lay-ministers/104306

Independent

SystemSpecs Founder, Obaro, Bags Trinity University Doctorate Degree

Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos State, has conferred one of Nigeria’s foremost software entrepreneur, visionary founder, and Group Managing Director of SystemSpecs Holdings Limited, Dr. John Tanimola Obaro, with an honorary doctorate, Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) Computing and Information Technology at its maiden convocation ceremony held on February 23, 2024.

Dr. Obaro was honoured for his exceptional contributions to technology, entrepreneurship, and financial innovation.

His unwavering commitment to excellence has left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s financial landscape, inspiring generations to come. Read more: https://independent.ng/systemspecs-founder-obaro-bags-trinity-university-doctorate-degree/

News Diary Online

Harvard Business School Launches Tony Elumelu Foundation Case Study

At a time of renewed geopolitical interest in Africa, and an increasing questioning of traditional development finance models, Harvard Business School today released a case study examining the role and impact of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), and its unique approach to catalysing entrepreneurship in Africa.

The Foundation, Africa’s leading funder of young entrepreneurs, has pioneered an innovative approach to seeding, capacitising and networking young entrepreneurs across Africa. Drawing directly from Tony Elumelu’s entrepreneurial journey, his acknowledgement that luck and chance played an important role in his success, the Foundation democratises luck, spreads opportunity, in a sector agnostic approach, and has developed a bespoke infrastructure that reaches every country in Africa. The Foundation is a direct expression of Elumelu’s philosophy of Africapitalism, that the private sector must play a pivotal role in Africa’s development, and that investment must seek social, as well as economic returns.

This was also captured in Leadership

Daily Trust

That Niger School Debate

Debate among pupils or students in schools is an old exercise. Primarily, it is done to imbue pupils and students with essential skills in critical thinking, thoughtful reasoning and public speaking. Through debates, pupils and students learn to present their thoughts coherently in a way that they can influence others for their support or understanding. It also provides essential skills that help them to build confidence. Through debates, students or pupils learn to communicate effectively and confidently. Debates are also guided by a set of rules and regulations that make the exercise well-coordinated.

Recently, a video of a debating session at a Local Education Authority (LEA) school went viral on various social media platforms. In the said video, one of the debaters and a pupil of Kasim Primary School in Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State was heard introducing the discussion topic as; “Voting Should Be Mandatory”. Read more: https://dailytrust.com/that-niger-school-debate/

People’s Gazette

Nigerian students ask Tinubu to establish price control board amid inflation

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the federal government to establish a price control board.

It wants the board to be tasked with regulating prices and preventing hoarding of goods.

This was disclosed in a statement by the national president of the association, Mr Akinteye Afeez, on Thursday. Read more: https://gazettengr.com/nigerian-students-ask-tinubu-to-establish-price-control-board-amid-inflation/

Daily Post

Police arrest IMSU student for stabbing FUTO final year undergraduate to death

Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have arrested a 300-level student of Imo State University, IMSU, Owerri, named Francis Marvellous, 21yrs, for allegedly stabbing to death Chinagorom Marvellous Kingsley ‘m’, 22yrs, who is a final year student of the Federal University of Technology Owerri, FUTO.

Parading the suspect at the police headquarters in Owerri on Friday, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, said the arrest was sequel to a swift response to a distress call received from the Chief Security Officer, CSO, of FUTO, retired DSP Patrick Egwu, by police operatives on convoy patrol who promptly arrested the suspect who was almost lynched at the scene by an angry mob. Read more: https://dailypost.ng/2024/03/01/police-arrest-imsu-student-for-stabbing-futo-final-year-undergraduate-to-death/

Police restate commitment to confronting insecurity in schools

The Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, says the police would continue to work harmoniously with relevant security agencies and stakeholders, including host communities, to confront those attacking schools.

Egbetokun said this in Abuja at the inauguration of a training on Safe Schools for State Coordinators and Divisional Police Officers, DPOs.

He said the police would continue to give priority to the safety and security of schools nationwide.

This was also captured by The Guardian

Leadership

FCT School Sports Festival: More Finalists Emerge As Preliminary Round Climaxes

The curtains have been drawn on the preliminary phase of the 2024 FCT School Sports Festival at most of the eight centers after the last day of çompetition saw finalists emerging in Table Tennis, 4x100m and 4x400m relays for the grand finale.

The coordinator of the Kuje centre, Saraya Dackling, described the rejuvenated games as a huge success and commended the athletes for competing within the ambit of the rules and regulations.

“The organisation in the Kuje zone was superb. You can see from the events that athletics and football matches went well, and so were other ball games and Table Tennis. Thankfully, there were no casualties, and the competitors were disciplined,” Dackling said. Read more: https://leadership.ng/fct-school-sports-festival-more-finalists-emerge-as-preliminary-round-climaxes/

CoinGeek

BSV Stories Episode 10: The future has already arrived in Nigeria

There are over 230 million people living in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and largest economy, with 60% of its population made up of young people. The youth in Nigeria are notoriously hungry for education and opportunities, creating the perfect environment for digital technologies such as blockchain to thrive.

While in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, I set forth to uncover the plans for BSV blockchain
education in the region and discover the role it will play in Nigeria’s digital revolution.

My first stop was Digital Nigeria, an annual conference dedicated to job creation and economic growth by utilizing digital technology. One of the event’s main partners is Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), which provided me with an opportunity to speak with NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi CCIE and Director Dr. Usman Abdullahi. Read more: https://coingeek.com/bsv-stories-episode-10-the-future-has-already-arrived-in-nigeria-video/

Tribune

Taraba ASUU demand arrears payment, resolution of critical issues

On Thursday, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University, appealed to Governor Agbu Kefas to immediately pay the member’s backlog of arrears and address other critical issues facing the staff.

Dr Garba Joshua Mbave, the ASUU chairman, said while addressing journalists at the university’s ASUU Secretariat that the issues were beginning to sound like broken records and required immediate action.

“Today, we gather with a sense of urgency and concern to address critical issues that affect not only our present but also our collective future. As a union, we recognise the pivotal role that security and stability play in shaping the trajectory of our lives and the well-being of our families. We want to categorise the following issues that are beginning to sound like a broken record. Read more: https://tribuneonlineng.com/taraba-asuu-demand-arrears-payment-resolution-of-critical-issues/