here are the headlines as they where published in the dailies today

TheGuardian

8,285 candidates sit for WASSCE’s inaugural CBT examination

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced that a total of 8,285 candidates from across the country registered for the inaugural Computer-based model of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE).

Addressing journalists on the development, the head of the national office in Nigeria, Amos Dangut, said out of the total number of candidates, 3,949 are male, while 4,336 are female, representing 47.66 and 52.3 per cent respectively.

He added that candidates would be examined in 19 subjects, made up of 26 papers.

Giving further details, Dangut said the examination will be delivered in hybrid mode.

He noted that the hybrid mode entails that the objective or multiple choice questions will be rendered on-screen and candidates are to respond on the screen, while they give their responses to the essays and practical questions using the answer booklets provided. Read more:https://guardian.ng/8285-candidates-sit-for-wassces-inaugural-cbt-examination/features/education/

NUTM moves to change learning narratives in technology education

To change learning narratives in technology education in the country, the Nigerian University of Technology and Management (NUTM), Lagos, has emphasised the need to prioritise problem solving and practical learning skills for students.

Deputy Registrar, Chinelo Nnadozie, who disclosed this while addressing journalists to announce the start of enrollment into the institution’s full-time undergraduate programmes, said the school is committed to impacting young people through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.

Nnadozie noted that faculties at the university are ready to provide care and mentorship to students. Read more:https://guardian.ng/nutm-moves-to-change-learning-narratives-in-technology-education/features/education/

Grace School wins Martin Luther King speech competition

A student of Grace High School, Gbagada, Lagos, Oluwateleola Sogbanmu has won the overall first position at the 24th edition of the Martin Luther King speech competition organised by the American Consulate in Lagos.

Another student, Chiziterm Umeh also emerged winner for the third topic of the competition titled : “My dream for Nigeria.”

Sogbanmu, who was adjudged best for her diction and strong points, was applauded for her excellent delivery during the competition.

Both winners were presented with laptops, school bags, and digital SAT book among others.

The Head of Protocol of the Consulate who presented the gifts lauded the students for their speech delivery and articulate presentation of their points. Read more:https://guardian.ng/grace-school-wins-martin-luther-king-speech-competition/features/education/

Nigerian students emerge tops in entrepreneurial competition

For their entrepreneurial excellence, students from Kosofe Senior College, representing Nigeria at the Junior Achievement Africa Company of the Year (COY) competition held in Kigali, Riwanda, has won two awards.

The students, with the team name, ‘The sustainable future advocate company,’ creators of plantain peel briquette, comprised: Fauzyhat Bello, Moses Ilori, Modinat Kareem and Chinenye Nworie.

The students got the Public Choice Award based on votes by Nigerians and Africans, and the Delta Airline Social Impact Award.

The competition featured participants from various countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Eswatini, Ghana, Mauritius, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the host country, Rwanda.

Commenting on the award, the Acting Executive Director of Junior Achievement Nigeria, Olaolu Akogun, said, the students were able to attain such feat due to immense contribution of partners. Read more:https://guardian.ng/nigerian-students-emerge-tops-in-entrepreneurial-competition/features/education/

VC charges students to solve societal problems as varsity holds matriculation

The Vice Chancellor, Crawford University, Igbesa, Prof. Reuben Jiya Kolo has tasked students to use the knowledge acquired in solving societal problems.

He also urged the newly admitted students to shun vices and acts capable of causing a breach of peace on campus.

Kolo specifically urged post-graduate students to tailor their research towards proffering solutions to societal problems, adding that their research should lead to original contribution to knowledge.

“Tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today, let your research provide novel solutions to challenges of humanity,” he said.

Kolo also encouraged the students to key into the godly virtues of the university, and be of good conduct throughout their stay. Read more:https://guardian.ng/vc-charges-students-to-solve-societal-problems-as-varsity-holds-matriculation/features/education/

‘Govt should expand opportunities for youths to thrive’

Tolulope Ewherido is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the i-Scholar Initiative (iSI), a non-profit organisation that mentors and connects high-potential African students to fully funded graduate programmes globally. Ewherido, in this interview with OPEYEMI BABALOLA, addressed concerns on japa syndrome, STEM education, and the need for improved funding of the sector, among others.

There are concerns over increasing cases of youths leaving the country for greener pastures. Stakeholders are worried that the country may suffer from this in the long run.
The phenomenon of Japa is a natural response to individuals seeking opportunities beyond what is currently available to them in Nigeria, to improve their lives and families. This inclination aligns with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, where the motivation for change is driven by unmet basic human needs. Read more:https://guardian.ng/govt-should-expand-opportunities-for-youths-to-thrive/features/education/

‘Why youths don’t settle for dignified vocation’

A university teacher, Prof. Omare Otote has blamed the prevailing lavish lifestyle of Nigerian youths for their inability to settle for a dignified vocation.

Otote, while delivering her inaugural lecture at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma (AAU), lamented that six months of revenue after basic expenses may not be enough for the average Nigerian youth to purchase a desired phone as everyone appears to be in a hurry.

In her lecture titled: “Repositioning affective learning for core mandate of social studies education in Nigeria: Back to basics,” Otote advocated attitudinal change and value reorientation, aimed at solving problems among Nigerians to grow a better and prosperous nation.

According to her, value reorientation among Nigerian youths is key in ensuring a better future for the county. Read more:https://guardian.ng/why-youths-dont-settle-for-dignified-vocation/features/education/

Educator tasks African teachers on AI

An educator, Mr Lanre Oguntoye, has urged African teachers to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) rather than watch and worry as new technological trends unfold.

He noted that learning about technology and adopting its use in teaching pedagogy would enhance efficiency.

Oguntoye, who is an assistant principal at Greensprings School, Anthony campus, spoke at a webinar titled: “Education in the age of Artificial Intelligence” organised by Greensprings Training College.

He said: “Everyone is on a learning curve when it comes to AI. Thus, it is important for educators in Africa not to take the back seat. As the whole world is embracing AI, we also need to do so as individuals, and at an institutional level and not play the catch-up game.” Read more:https://guardian.ng/educator-tasks-african-teachers-on-ai/features/education/

Kumuyi advises students, youths on achieving set goals

The General Superintendent, Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Dr William Kumuyi, has counselled students and young adults on career paths and how to achieve their set goals.

Kumuyi, a first-class graduate of Mathematics, spoke at a programme tagged: ‘Impact Academy,’ organised for undergraduates, corps members and young adults to rejuvenate their academic pursuits to achieve their set goals.

The programme, which was transmitted to youths worldwide, took place at the Deeper Life International Conference Centre, Mowe.
He, however, emphasised the need for any student who wants to soar high to realise the importance of connection with God.

He underscored the importance of determination, discipline and decision to be the best in life. Read more:https://guardian.ng/kumuyi-advises-students-youths-on-achieving-set-goals/features/education/

Stakeholders task FG on research, education funding

Stakeholders in the education sector have appealed to the government to give priority attention to education funding and scientific research for the sustainable development of the country.

Speaking at the first distinguished lecture of the Faculty of Applied Sciences of Kola Daisi University, Ibadan (KDU-I), Prof. Adekunle Bakare, lamented poor funding of the sector by successive governments.

Bakare, who was the guest lecturer, listed the challenges confronting scientific research in Nigeria as inadequate funding, inadequate number of research personnel, lack of adequate skills in contemporary scientific methods, and disconnection between researchers and industries, among others.

Bakare, a fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science, said the government must show serious commitment to funding research. Read more:https://guardian.ng/stakeholders-task-fg-on-research-education-funding/features/education/

Tribune

Committee of provosts, stakeholders gathers to brainstorm on functionality of education system

Education has been described as the cornerstone of societal development and the foundation for innovation, prosperity and progress.

The executive secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, Professor Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle  stated this on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the maiden biennial conference of the Committee of Provost of Colleges of Education in Nigeria (CPCEN), held at the Ukeje Hall, NCCE, Abuja.

The theme of the conference is ‘Strengthening the Nigerian Education System for Functionality, Employability, and Global Relevance in the 21st century.’ Read more:https://tribuneonlineng.com/committee-of-provosts-stakeholders-gathers-to-brainstorm-on-functionality-of-education-system/

Excluding private universities from TETFund discriminatory — Trinity Varsity VC

THE vice-chancellor of Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos, Prof Clement Kolawole has decried the continued exclusion of private universities from Tertiary Education Trust Fund(TETFund) coverage, describing such exclusion as discriminatory.

He argued that private universities also deserve to benefit, just like the government-owned  tertiary schools, from TETFund money.

According to him, education is a social service and graduates from private schools are expected to contribute just like their peers from public schools to the national development, hence the need to factor them in by TETFUND. Read more:https://tribuneonlineng.com/excluding-private-universities-from-tetfund-discriminatory-trinity-varsity-vc/

TETFund: Pro-chancellors reject Reps’ suspension order to VCs

THE Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities (COPSUN), has rejected the directive by the House of Representatives Committee on Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) asking all public universities to stay action on the implementation of the 2024 normal TETFUND intervention, saying the order is not in the interest of the beneficiary institutions.

It, therefore, called on members of the House Committee to immediately withdraw the directive in order to allow for smooth running of the institutions.

The secretary of COPSUN, Suleiman Abubakar Mahdi, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, said the directive was in violation of the universities’ autonomy and an encroachment on the powers of the state governments, especially the State Houses of Assemblies. Read more:https://tribuneonlineng.com/tetfund-pro-chancellors-reject-reps-suspension-order-to-vcs/

How Nigeria can increase access to tertiary education — OOU VC

Ayodeji Agboola, a Professor of Cancer Pathology, assumed duties as vice chancellor of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, a little over a year ago. In this interview, he shares with LAOLU HAROLDS some of the innovative programmes introduced by his administration, the uniqueness of the university he superintends over, and his take on some national issues bordering on education.

Could you give us a peek into the goals you set for yourself when you assumed duty as the vice chancellor of this university?

My goal is in line with the vision of the university-to produce some of the best graduates in the world, who can fit in, in any area of endeavour they may find themselves. I also believe that for us to be able to do that, we need to key into the plans of our fathers who established the university. If you look at the vision of the university, three words are very key namely, knowledge, skill and value. In producing some of the best graduates in the world, such students should be able to further their education; they should be employers of labour and must be employable. If I’m able to achieve these in the next five years, out of 5,000 or 6000 graduating every year, I’ll be able to get about 10 percent to be entrepreneurs; and at least another 30 percent of them to come to academics, while the rest are employable. If I have 10 percent of them as entrepreneurs, it will have a multiplier effect because they will employ many others, and the country will feel the impact. Read more:https://tribuneonlineng.com/how-nigeria-can-increase-access-to-tertiary-education-oou-vc/

ThCable

Ex-UNICAL dean wanted my virginity for admission, demanded oral sex, witness tells court

A female student from the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has testified on the sexual harassment allegation against Cyril Ndifon, the suspended dean from the institution. 

Ndifon has been in the public eye since last August over sexual harassment allegations. He was later suspended and probed by the school investigative panel.

The panel found the professor, who has since been replaced, guilty of sexual harassment and abuse of office.

Last October, the ICPC filed criminal charges against Ndifon.

At the resumption of trial on Tuesday, the student — who is the second witness and simply identified as TKJ 2 — told the court that the former dean pressured her to trade her virginity for admission into the institution.

NAN reports that the witness representing the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) claimed Ndifon also forced her to have oral sex with him after making demands on three occasions.

TKJ revealed that she got to know the professor during her diploma studies in the school. Read more:https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/ex-unical-dean-wanted-my-virginity-for-admission-demanded-oral-sex-witness-tells-court/

THE NATION

Ondo records 240,000 out-of-school children

Ondo State has recorded 240,000 out-of-school children, Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (ODSUBEB) Chief Victor Olabimtan, stated this at a news conference in Akure.

Olabimtan, who described the out-of-school children as a national problem, called for collaboration by the stakeholders in tackling the menace.

“The truth is that, it has become a serious socio-economic issue because it has become a breeding ground for social and political miscreants.

Empirical statistics have repudiated the initial beliefs that out-of -school is only prevalent in the northern part of the country.

“Studies have shown it is a growing menace in this part of the world without leaving out our state. Read more:https://thenationonlineng.net/ondo-records-240000-out-of-school-children/