Education News Update for Monday 25th March 2024

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

INDEPENDENT

Alvan Ikoku Warns Against Cultism, As 1300 Matriculate

he Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education will no longer affiliate with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, for the award of Bachelors Degree from the next academic year.

In the same vein, the fresh students have been handed the stern warning that cultism and other vices with the school will be visited with instant expulsion and handing over to security agencies

After Kaduna Students Release, Tinubu Vows To Make Schools Safe

After the success recorded in rescuing the abducted pupils and teachers of the Government Primary School, Kuriga, Kaduna State, President Bola Tinubu has vowed that his administration would ensure that schools become safer and secure for teaching and learning.

his is contained in a statement released on Sunday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale.

Ngelale said that the president reiterated the pledge when he received the news of the release of the Kuriga schoolchildren in Kaduna State.

THISDAY

SSANU, NAAT, NASU Threaten Total Shutdown of University System after Warning Strike

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologist (NAAT), yesterday, threatened to embark on a total strike action, following the federal government’s failure to address its concerns.

The unions had gone on a one-week warning strike action which started last Monday, to press home it’s demands. The threat by the unions is a follow-up to the warning strike which ended Sunday midnight.

The unions gave the warning during a virtual meeting organised by the Education Writers Association of Nigeria (EWAN)

Enugu SUBEB Boss Refutes ‘Unjust’ Dismissal of Teachers, Says Board Won’t Condone Misconduct

The Chairman, Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), Dr Gabriel Ajah, has dismissed allegation of unjust sacking of five teachers in the board’s employ, saying the agency always ensures strict adherence to due process in meting out sanctions to errant academic and non-academic staff.

This was even as the dismissed teachers tendered written and unreserved apology admitting wrongdoing.

Ajah reiterated the board’s commitment to upholding discipline and code of conduct, he said, would ensure improved standard of education in the state

15 Varsities, 200,000 Students to Benefit from AAI Campus Tour

No fewer than 200,000 students across 15 universities across Africa are set to benefit from the Akin Akinpelu International (AAI) ‘Street2Forbes’ campus tour aimed at providing mentorship, direction, and support for all participating students.

The tour which was instituted by an official member of the Forbes Coaches Council, Dr Akin Akinpelu is scheduled to take off at Bells University, Otta, on April 13, 2024.

The event also coincided with the unveiling of Akinpelu’s latest book titled: ‘The Street to Forbes’.

THE NATIONS

Alumni launches N1b endowment fund for school’s rehabilitation

ABUJA/Northern Zone of Ekiti Baptist High School Old Students’ Association (EBHSOSA), Igede-Ekiti, has launched a N1 billion endowment fund for rehabilitation of the school.

The Lagos/Ogun branch launching held on March 9.

Former students decried the school’s dilapidated condition. They said the school, founded by Baptist High Mission in 1956, has lost its glory.

Ajaka hails Tinubu, Sani, others over rescue of Kaduna pupils

The 2023 Kogi Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, Muritala Yakubu Ajaka has commended the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deal with non-state antagonists.

He said the decisive, epic and terminal onslaught against violent and non-state antagonists of the administration which led to the rescue of the children deserve the support of all Nigerians.

All 137 abducted pupils rescued, says governor

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has said that, contrary to reports, 137 schoolchildren, and not 287, were abducted on March 7, from Kuriga in the Chikun Local Government Area of the state.

he relieved governor said the number released by the military is the authentic figure, describing “287”, as a figment of some people’s imagination.

THE PUNCH

Nigerian varsities attracted 709 foreign students in six years

A total of 709 international students were admitted to Nigerian universities, polytechnics and other higher institutions between 2017 and 2023 academic session amidst incessant industrial actions, poor infrastructure and terrible learning conditions, data obtained from the Federal Ministry of Education on Sunday in Abuja has revealed.

PEOPLE’S GAZETTE

National University of Singapore launches AI institute

he National University of Singapore launched its artificial intelligence institute on Monday to advance research and the application of AI technologies in education, healthcare, and finance.

According to a university statement, the new institute would also study ways to safeguard transparency and accountability to address ethical concerns and risks associated with AI.

Withheld Salaries: SSANU threatens ‘drastic action’ after end of seven-day strike

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has ended its seven-day warning strike over withheld salaries, threatening to take “drastic action” against the government.

The association’s president, Mohammed Ibrahim, made the declaration at a virtual stakeholders forum organised by the Education Writers Association of Nigeria (EWAN) on Sunday in Lagos, which also had Ibeji Nwokoma, president of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational And Associated Institutions (NASU) in attendance.

Lagos State

OEQA MEETS STAKEHOLDERS ON Y2024/2025 ACADEMIC CALENDAR

To continue to foster fruitful collaboration and dialogue between government and school owners, the Lagos State Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), on Friday, met with education stakeholders in the State’s basic and secondary schools on the Y2024/2025 Academic Calendar.

The stakeholder engagement that is held periodically to ensure that both government and private school owners are on the same page, has proven to be vital in addressing some critical issues surrounding schools’ academic calendars.

THE GUARDIAN

Undergraduate raises the alarm over alleged threat to life by Cultists

An undergraduate student at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abdul Quadri Olamilekan Tijani, has raised the alarm over an alleged threat to his life by some suspected cult group.

The 19 year old lamented that the suspected cult members of Aiye Fraternity has been harassing him on and off campus