Education

Fix Rot in Education Sector, Cleric Tells Adeleke

By Web News 369

By Mojisola Oladele 

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has been urged to focus more on people in the grassroots by providing stable and efficient local government leadership, water, security and health facilities.

The Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Osogbo, The Most Reverend John Oyejola made the call during his courtesy visit to the Governor Adeleke at the Government House, Osogbo.

Bishop Oyejola, who explained that many schools in rural areas were not conducive for learning and teaching activities, appealed to him to urgently fix the rot in the education sector.

He also urged the Governor to return some public schools that government seized from the Church as a way of revamping the education sector in the state.

While lauding the governor for renovating Primary Health Centres in the state, the cleric urged him to provide sustainable electricity and water at the facilities.

In his remarks, Senator Adeleke said his administration was working on partnering with investors in areas of agriculture, power generation to boost the economy of Osun, noting that his government had performed so well on areas of abandoned projects by previous administrations.

The governor pointed out that his government had invested greatly on healthcare, especially in the rural areas, insisting that his administration has not borrowed a dime since inception.

Senator Adeleke, who said the request for return of schools to the Church would be put into consideration, Senator Adeleke solicited for continuous prayers of Bishop Oyejola and his entourage for him to deliver the good vision he has for Osun people.

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Education

Court Grants ISI Female Muslim Students Hijab Right   

By Web News 282

By Sherideen Nazrideen

An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has granted the female Muslim students of the International School Ibadan, ISI, University of Ibadan the relief to wear Hijab on top of their uniforms during school hours.

The court presided over by Justice Moshood Ishola also ruled that the school is a multi-religious public institution and that restraining the female Muslim students in the school from wearing the Hijab amounts to infringement on fundamental human rights, which are inalienable.

Citing judicial precedents, Justice Ishola maintained that forcing female Muslim students to dress against their religious belief is a violation of fundamental human right as contained in sections 38 (1) (a) and 42 (1) (a) of the 1999 constitution as amended.

He however declined the award of damages as compensation as claimed by the applicant in the amended motion.

Reacting to the judgement, the lead counsel to the applicants, Mr. Hassan Fajimite expressed delight at the declarative relief and pronouncement of perpetual injunction restraining the school authorities from preventing female Muslim students from using Hijab.

Efforts to get reaction from the lead counsel to the respondents, Mr. Magnus Ejelonu were not successful.

In an address, the chairman of ISI Muslim Parents Forum, Alhaji Abdurahman Balogun, who described the judgement as memorable, and a testament to the court as the last hope of common man, especially on freedom of religion.

It would be recalled that the applicants, 11 female students of the International School Ibadan, ISI, University of Ibadan, their parents and the Muslims Rights Concern, MURIC had instituted a case of infringement on their right to freedom of thought, religion and right to education in 2019.

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Education

Tinubu Okays List of Governing Board for 111 Tertiary Institutions

By Web News 505

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointments of at least 555 persons to serve as Pro-chancellors/Chairmen and members of Governing Boards of 111 Federal universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education.

This followed Tinubu’s assent to a list of nominees selected by the Ministry of Education.

An advertorial by the Education Ministry showed the appointment of a chairperson and four members for each of the institutions.

It was signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack.

“The inauguration and retreat for the Governing Councils will take place on Thursday, May 30 and Friday, May 31, 2024, at the National Universities Commission, 26 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja. Both events will commence at 9:00am daily,” said Walson-Jack.

When contacted for confirmation, the Presidency said the list emanated from the Ministry of Education.

“This is from the Federal Ministry of Education…they make the nominations and forward them to the President to sign. But they are at liberty to release it from their end,” the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, told our correspondent on Saturday.

The appointments come days after the Academic Staff Union of Universities had threatened to embark on another strike, potentially disrupting the academic calendar and causing further setbacks in the country’s higher education sector.

The Union, on Tuesday, decried the failure of the Federal Government to appoint Governing Councils for federal universities.

The Union also faulted what it described as the nonchalant attitude of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to matters about academics in Federal universities.

The body of academics, during a briefing at the University of Abuja, also faulted the 35 per cent salary increment for professors and the 25 per cent salary increment for other academics in the university system.

Punch/ Adebukola Aluko

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Education

Oyo Govt. Approves Recruitment of 7000 Teachers, Care Givers

By Web News 563

By Iyabo Adebisi

Oyo State Government has approved the recruitment of 7000 teachers and 100 care givers in special schools into the primary school teaching service in the state. 

The Chairman State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Nureni Adeniran disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the SUBEB’s headquarters, Agodi, Ibadan. 

Dr Adeniran said the recruitment is in fulfillment of Governor Makinde’s electoral promise and response to the yearnings of the people and to cater for inadequate primary school teachers in the state. 

The SUBEB boss while assuring that the exercise would be merit based warned the unsuspecting applicants to be wary of scammers saying government would not engage anyone to serve as agents in the rerecruitment process. 

Dr Adeniran noted that the people would carried along in all the stages of the exercise however emphasized that the  recruitment would be localised thereby urging the applicants to claim their respective council areas as they would required to work in their local governments.

He equally added that special consideration would be given to people with disabilities in the employment of the new teachers. 

Said he”In fulfilment of his electoral promise and the yearnings of the people of Oyo State, occasioned by the gap of Teachers in our public primary schools, Governor Seyi Makinde has approved the recruitment of 7,000 teachers in our public primary schools. In addition, he also approved the recruitment of 100 care givers in our special schools”, he said.

“The stages to follow to have a free, fair, credible exercise will emanate from this Board, signed by me”, Adeniran said.

“No Staff member has been empowered to collect money from applicants”, he reiterated.

“We thank His Excellency for living up to his words. He fulfilled his promise and may God give him divine wisdom to navigate the affairs of the State.”

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Education

FG Student Loan Fund Kicks off May 24

By Web News 546

The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFund on Thursday, announced May 24, 2024, as the official date for “the opening of the portal for student loan applications.”

The announcement was made in a statement by the media lead for the NELFund, Mr Nasir Ayantogo.

Mr Ayantogo, in the statement, said the opening of the application portal marked a significant milestone in the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to “fostering accessible and inclusive education for all Nigerian students.”

On June 12, 2023, Tinubu signed the Access to Higher Education Act, 2023 into law to enable indigent students to access interest-free loans for their educational pursuits in any Nigerian tertiary institution.

A member of the a member of the then Presidential Strategy Team, Dele Alake, said Presidential Strategy Team, Mr Dele Alake, explained that the move was in “fulfillment of one of his campaign promises to liberalise funding of education”.

The Act, popularly known as the Students Loan Law, also established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund to process all loan requests, grants, disbursement, and recovery.

Although the government initially announced that the scheme would be launched in September, it suffered several delays leading to an indefinite postponement in early March.

The presidency had linked the delay to Tinubu’s directive to expand the scheme to include loans for vocational skills.

After receiving briefing from the NELFund team led by the Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, on January 22, the president had directed the fund to extend interest-free loans to Nigerian students interested in skill-development programmes.

President Tinubu based his decision on the need for the scheme to accommodate those who may not want to pursue a university education, noting that skill acquisition is as essential as obtaining undergraduate and graduate academic qualifications.

“This is not an exclusive programme. It is catering to all of our young people. Young Nigerians are gifted in different areas.”

“This is not only for those who want to be doctors, lawyers, and accountants. It is also for those who aspire to use their skilled and trained hands to build our nation.”

“In accordance with this, I have instructed NELFund to explore all opportunities to inculcate skill-development programmes because not everybody wants to go through a full university education,” he had said.

Through the portal, students can now access loans to pursue their academic aspirations without financial constraints.

The portal, according to the statement, provides a user-friendly interface for students to submit their loan applications conveniently.

“We encourage all eligible students to take advantage of this opportunity to invest in their future and contribute to the growth and development of our nation.

“Students can access the portal on www.nelf.gov.ng to begin application,” the statement said.

Punch/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

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Education

Collapsed OAU Amphitheatre Sealed, Govt. Promises Repairs

By Web News 394

By Funmi Ojo

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has assured the management of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile–Ife that the state government will repair the collapsed amphitheatre.

This followed the collapse of the amphitheatre on Thursday 16, May, 2024, leaving some students injured.

Meanwhile, the management of the University has sealed off the amphitheatre.

In a statement, the spokesperson of the governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed said Governor Adeleke was shocked by the news of the incident and had directed the Commissioner for Education to liaise with the authorities at the OAU for necessary interventions. 

The Governor urged the people of the state to stand in solidarity with the institution, most especially the injured students, and render supports including donation of blood, if required. 

In a related development, the Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Adebayo Bamire has led other principal officers to the Medical and Health Centre of the University to ensure that the injured students were given adequate medical attention. 

A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that the Vice-Chancellor also followed two other students, whose cases demanded more medical attention to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex , OAUTHC.

The Vice-Chancellor, however, appealed for calm and urged students and staff to go about their activities.

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Education

Students Strip Varsity Lecturer over Alleged Sexual Harassment

By Web News 325

A senior lecturer at the Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State, was, on Friday, stripped following accusations of making sexual advances towards a female student, The Nation reports.

The lecturer, whose full name remains unknown, reportedly angered female undergraduates from the institution’s English Department, where he teaches, upon learning of his alleged misconduct.

They insisted on his public humiliation, declaring that “his actions have caught up with him.”

Stripped down to his boxers, the lecturer was spared further embarrassment by the collective efforts of the school’s security unit at the Adankolo mini campus.

During questioning, the lecturer implicated his colleagues, suggesting that they provided him with names of students to “pass or fail” based on their relationships with such female students.

When contacted, the university’s spokesperson, Mr. Daniel Iyke, confirmed that the management was aware of the incident and had initiated an investigation.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Education

Kogi Govt. Confirms Abduction of Nine Students

By Web News 323

The Kogi State Government has confirmed the abduction of nine students of the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Okene.

This was as the State Governor, Usman Ododo assured the people of the state of the safe return of the abducted students.

The students, who were reading for their upcoming exams were abducted on Thursday night after bandits swooped on the university around 9 p.m.

The bandits reportedly came in through the bush, went into three lecture halls and began to shoot into the air to scare the students.

In a statement issued on Friday by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, it noted that immediately the report was received, the governor “activated the security architecture to track the kidnappers and ensure the abducted students are rescued and the abductors apprehended.”

Fanwo stated that while “nine students have been reported missing,” security operatives and local hunters are working to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted students.

The statement read, “The Kogi State Government received a very disturbing news at about 21.00 hrs, Thursday, 9th May, 2024 that the Confluence University of Science and Technology was invaded by kidnappers.

“Immediately the report was received, the Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo activated the security architecture to track the kidnappers and ensure the abducted students are rescued and the abductors apprehended.

“Hundreds of local hunters who understand the terrain as well as the conventional security agents are currently combing the area to ensure safe rescue of the abducted students who were kidnapped in the classrooms. So far, nine students have been reported missing.”

The statement added that the state government wishes “to assure students, parents and the entire people of Kogi State that the Government is on top of the situation and all the abducted students will be rescued alive.”

The state government commended the efforts of the security operatives and local hunters for their efforts. This was as Ododo directed that security agents be positioned around all tertiary institutions in the state.

“We wish to commend the local hunters and other security agents who rose stoutly to engage the kidnappers. Their gallantry and dedication ensured that the kidnappers did not have a field day which would have been more calamitous.

“The State Government will spare nothing in ensuring that all the students abducted are safely rescued and reunited with their families. We won’t submit to terror. We shall prevail,” the statement concluded.

Punch/Olaolu Fawole

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Education

FG Tackles Unemployment With NYSC Trust Fund Bill

By Web News 338

By Temidayo Adu

Youth graduates in the country will soon be engaged by the Federal Government to halt the unemployment trend in the country 

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Youths Development and Community Engagement, Senator Yemi Adaramodu stated this while announcing the passage of the NYSC Trust Fund Bill by the Senate to Batch A Stream 2 corps members when he led committee members on oversight function to NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Iseyin, Oyo state.

Senator Adaramodu explained that the newly passed NYSC Trust Fund bill, which would soon be transmitted to the President for assent, seeks to upgrade the mandatory national service scheme to make provision for graduates to be gainfully employed.

The senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial District in the 10th Senate noted that the NYSC Trust Fund bill has the provision to establish corps members through the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, SAED, Programme, saying start-up grants would be provided for participants at the end of the service year.

Speaking on the increasing rate of cybercrime among the youths, Senator Adaramodu said the Nigerian Senate Legislative agenda for the year was geared towards youth development, adding that more bills would be passed to make them functional 

Reacting, Oyo State NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Abel Oche appreciated the senators for the visit, which according to him, served as a morale booster to the corps members who were already apprehensive about life after the one-year of national service.

Mr Oche noted that the NYSC Trust Fund Bill, when signed into law by the president would further solidify the SAED Programme of the scheme as the game changer in the fight against unemployment in the country.

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Education

Don Advocates Media Literacy Programmes to Check Cyber Victimization

By Web News 356

By Oluwatoyin Adegoke

A Professor of Marketing Communication, Professor Kolade Ajilore has recommended the integration of media literacy programmes into the country’s education system in a bid to check the growing incidences of cyber victimization.

Professor Ajilore argued that proper use of media literacy intervention, would enlighten the citizens and sharpen their ability to maximise productive use of emerging trends in social media technology and to shield themselves from the hazards.

Delivering the 48th Inaugural lecture of Babcock University, Ogun State, titled “Advertising Practice as Brand Communication Archery in the Age of a Rebellious Audience”, Professor Ajilore who enumerated the many benefits of social media, said media literacy would help the youths to harmlessly navigate through the cyberspaces.

Professor Ajibore equally emphasized that Nigeria would be a better place if Advertising Practitioners in the country accord priority to the promotion of products with local materials and local contents to reverse the damage caused by over dependence on the consumption of foreign products and services.

The Professor of Marketing Communication emphasized that while advertising involved building promotion for product categorisation and market segmentation, such well packaged advertising would also generate economic value and encourage more innovation and  employment. 

In a remark, the Vice chancellor, Babcock University, Professor Tayo Ademola applauded the inaugural lecturer for the scholarly efforts towards ensuring a better society, urging the stakeholders to sustain the efforts for the growth of the country’s economy.

Other members of the university Community who spoke at the event described the Inaugural lecturer as a resilient and dedicated instructor who had continued to make valuable contributions to strengthen the academic environment and enrich humanity.

Education

Schools Record Low Attendance as Fuel Scarcity Bites Harder

By Web News 345

By Oluwatoyin Adegoke

The lingering fuel scarcity has paralysed socio-economic activities in some parts of Ogun state which also contributed  to low turnout of Students in both Public and Private schools as new academic sessions begins in the State.

Radio Nigeria learnt that the sudden and artificial scarcity of fuel was already taking its painful toll on commuters and transporters alike in Kobape, Sagamu, Ijebu- Ode, Ayetoro town, and Abeokuta the State capital, among other towns.

The situation was aggravated by the fact that many motorists were specifically targeting NNPC filling stations at Iyana-Motuary, Ijaye, Kolobo amongst other locations, where fuel was reportedly being sold at a lower price of N580 compared to other outlets which sell for N700, N750 and N800.

Students in Primary and Secondary School Students also shared in the hardship as some were stranded at Paseke, Iyana Mortuary, Ijaye, Sapon and other bus stops waiting for Public Vehicles to convey them to their different destinations. 

The proprietress of a School at Oke-Mosan area of Abeokuta, speaking with Radio Nigeria disclosed that the school recorded a very low turnout of students, compared to the normal situation on resumption days, adding that those who came to school also came in very late.

Some motorists who spoke on the development lamented over the high price of the commodity, while some said the hike in the price of the product had further led to an increase in the price of other commodities in the state capital.

Some Road users including, Mr Gbenga Olanrewaju and Miss Tola Rapheal said most filling stations were locked under the guise that there was no fuel, while black marketers were selling a litre of petrol between N800 and N1,200 to motorists who could not wait in long queues.

They appealed to the federal government to wade into the situation and find a lasting solution to it, before it got out of hand, saying Nigerians were already getting tired of numerous hardships being experienced.

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Education

JAMB Plans Releasing 2024 UTME Results Soon

By Web News 760

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has concluded plans to release the results of the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, is scheduled to hold a press briefing in Abuja on Monday regarding the release of the results and related matters, as indicated in a notice circulated to journalists in the capital city.

The notice was made available by the Board’s Head of Public Relations, Fabian Benjamin, on Sunday.

However, there are indications that results that would be released on Monday are for the candidates that participated in the UTME in the first few days, while others would be released after “due diligence” is completed.

The board earlier clarified that the decision to delay the release of the results for a few days was made to allow ample time for thorough scrutiny.

This measure, according to the examination body, was taken to guarantee the credibility and integrity of the results, ensuring there are no doubts or uncertainties, especially concerning issues such as impersonation, mixed biometrics, and other forms of malpractices.

In the past week, more than 1.9 million candidates enrolled for the 2024 UTME across over 700 Computer-Based Test centers nationwide.

The 2024 examination, which commenced on Friday, April 19, 2024, is expected to be concluded today.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Education

Beware of fake study loan website -NELFUND

By Web News 457

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has urged students to exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of any website or service claiming to represent the organisation.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by NELFUND’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Nasir Ayitogo.

NELFUND management has become aware of a fraudulent advertisement about a ‘Federal Study Loan’. “Fraudsters operating the website www.fedstudyloan-gov.ng have advertised an application for the highly anticipated student loan programme of the Federal Government.

“NELFUND wishes to clarify that it has no association with this website and strongly condemns any attempts to deceive students seeking financial aid.

“NELFUND takes the security and well-being of our students very seriously and is committed to providing accurate information and resources for financing their education,” he said.

Ayitogo urged anyone affected by the scam to report it immediately to the relevant authorities.

He added that the official channel for student loan applications, which will be opened to the public in due course, is www.nelf.gov.ng.

NAN reports that the NELFUND said no fewer than 1.2 million Nigerian students in tertiary institutions and government-recognised skill acquisition centres will be among the first batch of beneficiaries.

The Managing Director of NELFUND, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, on April 18 said the money to fund the loan scheme is one per cent of the revenue generated by the Federal Inland Revenue Service annually. 

Vanguard/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

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Education

FG to Commence Disbursement of Student Loans

By Web News 318

By Nasir Malali (Sokoto)

President Bola Tinubu says students would soon access loans under the Federal Government Student Loans Scheme, aimed at promoting human capital development in the country.

The president stated this at the end of a week long convocation ceremony of Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

The president who was represented by the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman appealed to all stakeholders in public and private sector to cooperate with the Federal Ministry of Education in a bid to achieving the desired objectives.

He said his administration is focusing on establishing skills and innovation centres in polytechnics and entrepreneurship centres with a view to providing more job opportunities for youth across the country.

The president said government is also discussing modalities for the upward review of public universities funding for sustainable development in the education sector.

In his speech, the Sokoto State governor, Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto pledged to build a hostel for the university stressing that the Usman Danfodiyo University had contributed to manpower development in the state.

The governor expressed interest to partner the institution in the area of renewable energy, security and agriculture for socio-security and economic development of the state.

Earlier, Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Lawal Bilbis said the university graduated a total of twenty two thousand nine hundred and thirty two students who successfully completed their studies in various discipline in the University.
He explained that the ceremony is a combined convocation of the 38th, 39th, 40th and 41st sets of the university.

The vice chancellor expressed gratitude to FG, Tertiary Education Trust Fund and National University Commission for their support and investment in the university.

Our correspondent reports that eminent Nigerians including the Emir of Bichi, his Royal Highness Nasiru Ado Bayero, Professor Toyin Falola, Alhaji Sani Zangon Daura and others distinguished Nigerians received honorary degrees at the event.

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Education

2024 JAMB: Oyo NSCDC Commandant Commends Personnel

By Web News 458

By Rasheedah Makinde

The State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo State Command, Commandant Augustine Padonu, has lauded personnel of the corps for their professionalism during the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination on Friday, 19th April 2024.

Commandant Padonu gave his officers a thumb-up while conducting a thorough inspection of the deployment of NSCDC personnel to the accredited Computer Based Test (CBT) centres across the State.

In a Press Release, the Oyo NSCDC boss described the deployment as a strategic effort and a testament to the collaboration between NSCDC and the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).


                                TEXT
The State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo State Command, Commandant Augustine Padonu, conducted a thorough inspection of the deployment of NSCDC personnel to the accredited Computer Based Test (CBT) centres across the State for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination on Friday, 19th April 2024. This strategic effort is a testament to the collaboration between NSCDC and the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

In an impressive display of commitment and precision, personnel of the NSCDC reported at various centres as early as 6:00 am to check in the candidates and ensure each of them underwent biometric capturing, setting the stage for a smooth and secure examination process.

Commandant Padonu said, “A total of 150 NSCDC personnel have been deployed to the 43 accredited CBT centres across the State to provide security, prevent intrusion of unwanted persons and uphold the integrity of the examination. Our personnel are well trained, and I can assure the examination body, JAMB, and the candidates that the conduct of the examination will be hitch-free.”

During his visit to the Polytechnic, Ibadan centre, Commandant Padonu was pleased to witness a high level of orderliness. Professor L.A. Ahmed, the Supervisor of the centre, while commending NSCDC, expressed his satisfaction with the personnel posted to the centre for their cooperation and promptness, acknowledging their exceptional professionalism in managing the candidates. He also visited the JAMB Professional Test Centre at Ikolaba.

Commandant Padonu also took the opportunity to urge the candidates to abide by the rules and regulations guiding the examination, while advising parents to stay away from the examination centres as irregularities will not be condoned.

It is important to note that each centre will host an average of three examination sessions, with an adequate number of officers assigned to ensure a smooth and successful operation.

NSCDC remains committed to its mandate of providing security and ensuring the welfare of citizens. Commandant Padonu’s inspection underscores his dedication to promoting a secure and transparent examination environment for the benefit of all stakeholders involved.

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Education

Parents React to JAMB Registrar’s Order On Arrest

By Web News 343

By Dayo Adu

Some parents who accompanied candidates to JAMB accredited CBT centre in Orogun, Ibadan, have expressed disappointment at the order of the registrar of JAMB directing police to arrest parents at the CBT centres.

The parents who were seen few metres away from the examination Premises noted that since the examination was not conducted in their children’s secondary schools like that of WAEC, there’ s the need to accompany them to locate the venue.

They noted that such directive was not appropriate in view of the security challenges, facing the nation adding that welfare of the candidates should be the priority of the registrar rather than the examination.

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Education

Saraki, Fayemi, Others Set for Ogundoyin Students’ Legislative Summit

By Web News 498

By Mosope Kehinde

The Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde will on April 24, 2024 at the International Conference Centre, ICC, University of Ibadan host former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and other dignitaries for the maiden edition of Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin Students’ Legislative Summit.

Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki is expected to give a keynote address while Dr. Kayode Fayemi will be the Guest Speaker at the summit.

The 3-day summit organised for about one thousand members of Students Representatives Council, SRC, Students Union Governments, SUG and other students drawn from tertiary institutions in the Southwest, Kwara State inclusive is tagged “Roles of quality legislation in Nation Building”.

Also invited as resource persons, panelists and moderators are accomplished political leaders, seasoned legislators, cerebral administrators as well as erudite academics and scholars.

The 3rd and final day of the summit (25th April, 2024) will feature panel discussions, interactive sessions and insightful presentations by the delegates on key components of national development.

The Honoree of the summit and speaker Oyo State House of Assembly, OYHA, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin said it is in line with his avowed belief in nurturing and grooming students and youths for leadership responsibilities and national development.

The speaker said the summit was designed to increase and advance students’ knowledge and understanding about legislation, highlight the vital importance and significance of good laws to national development, as well as discuss and expound legislative constraints and bottlenecks.

“Grooming next generation of leaders is tantamount to laying a solid foundation for the rapid transformation and development of any nation. This has been one of my focal points in the last few years. If the argument that leaders are made and not born is true, then we must constantly put together programs and activities that will impact our youths positively and prepare them for the task of nation building as future leaders of Nigeria.”  Mr Ogundoyin espoused.

“This summit is also another way of bridging the gap between the current leaders and the next generation of leaders. It is meant to connect the students with the cream in the society for tutoring, mentoring and learning”.

“The maiden edition of the summit will be used to harness the students’ perspectives on key issues of national development which will bring about inclusive engagement. Youths voices must not only be heard but must also reflect in government policies. They are stakeholders in the building of a strong and virile nation”, the Oyo Speaker said.

He added that beside the theme of the Summit, “Roles of Quality Legislations in Nation Building”, other key components of national development that will be appraised and discussed by the delegates are power, security, true federalism, health care, education, agriculture and food security, technology, employment and human capital development, environment, culture and tourism.

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Education

Parents Defy JAMB Directive, Besiege CBT Centres

By Web News 473

By Blessing Okareh

Despite the directive of JAMB for Parents to stay away from CBT centers, many parents still throng the Examination venues in support of their children and wards sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME which commenced Nationwide today.

Radio Nigeria correspondents who monitored the exercise in Ibadan Oyo State, report that parents were seen waiting patiently for their children writing the Examination.

Some of the parents who spoke with Radio Nigeria said it was practically impossible to allow their children to go to the CBT Centers alone for the Examination.

Two parents Mrs Olufunke Owofadeju and Mr Tosin Bakare noted that many of the Candidates were below the age of accountability and as such could not be left alone “Why i followed my daughter is that we come long distance. We are from Oyo and i cannot allow her alone to come from Oyo.Infact, in the morning the CBT officials addressed us that we should stay away.”

Similarly, Mrs Oluwadamilola Ayinde said, “I have child and we also come from long distance.That is the reason i followed him here and he cannot go back home without may be , i followed him back.All those people invigilating them did not allow us to stay here at all “.

Speaking on the age of students writing the examination, one if the parents said’ 17 years was better because 15,16, i think the age is still small for them.My child is 17 years

Mr. Tosin Bakare who is a business man said ” The directive of JAMB to parents not to be at the venue of the test, I don’t think they thought it through.There are some children that are not of that age that you can leave them alone. it behoves on parents to guide their children.Where i will agree with JAMB is that some unruly parents tend to take such opportunity to disrupt the examination.They should be handled appropriately”.
On the age of students, the opinion of Mr Bakare is that, “The legal age for the independence of a child is 18 ,in some countries 21.So, when a child is still 17, he is not up to.that age of full responsibility.But 17 to.me is still ok”.

Some of the candidates said the examination was hitch free.

Radio Nigeria however observed that the exercise was very orderly.

The 2024 UTME is holding across the Nation in over 700 CBT centers.

Education

EDUCASH: Ogun Earmarks N3.5bn for 150,000 Beneficiaries

By Web News 416

By Abimbola Bamgbose 

The Ogun State Government said N3.5 billion has been earmarked for the ongoing ‘Educash transfer’ programme of the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration.

About 100,000 indigent pupils in both public primary and secondary schools, as well as 50,000 students in tertiary institutions across the country, will benefit at the end of the exercise.

The state government also disclosed that over 40,000 students and pupils in primary and secondary school have so far benefited from the programme.

Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Abayomi Arigbabu, who stated this shortly after monitoring the cash transfer to parents of indigent students in public primary and secondary schools in the Remo division of the state, promised that no one would be left out.

He said: “At the end of the day, the intention is to pay almost 50,000 tertiary students. We have captured their data; we have just a little bit less than 50,000. That is over N2.5 billion for the tertiary level.

“At the primary and secondary school level, we are going to eventually pay 100,000 pupils, that is N1 billion. 100,000 indigent students are targeted so that their parents will get N10,000 each. As of today, we have paid 20,000 students through their parents.

“At the tertiary level, as we speak, we have paid over 20,000 students, N50,000 each,” he said.

The Commissioner also said that monitoring the transfer was just a symbolic exercise as the state can boost of over 2,000 primary and secondary schools, even as he assured parents who are yet to receive the money to remain calm as it would soon be their turn.

“The schools that we have been to are just a tip of the iceberg. How many schools can we get to out of the almost 2,100 primary and secondary schools? But, we did these ones symbolically to let people see that the governor is a promise-keeping governor.

“I want to assure parents who haven’t gotten their own that it is coming, because, we are paying in batches. Apart from that, don’t forget, there can be issues of network.

“If anybody for any reason didn’t get it, let us know through the principal, and we will look into it because nobody is going to be given cash. It will still have to be transferred to their accounts,” he said.

In her remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo admonished parents not to use the money for their own personal needs but to ensure that they prioritized the future of their children.

Mrs. Oyefeso Blessing and Mrs. Oluwayemi Osolukoya, parents to indigent students at Methodist Comprehensive College, Sagamu, commended the governor for putting the interest of their children at heart, even as they assured that the money would be used for the purpose it was meant for.

Mrs. Yusuf Sekinat, a parent at St. James Anglican Primary School, Iperu-Remo, thanked Governor Abiodun for the gesture, promising to use the money for the benefit of her child.

Some of the schools visited include St.1 Saviours Anglican Primary School, Ikenne-Remo, Christ Apostolic Grammar School, Iperu, Ansar-Ud-Deen School 1, Iperu-Remo, St James Anglican Primary School, Iperu-Remo and Methodist Comprehensive College, amongst others.

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Education

Kayrom Lee Advocates French Lang. Proficiency for Students

By Web News 500

By Olawale Asake

The Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Kayrom Lee Gym and Fitness Centre, Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, Ambassador Romoke Ayinde has appealed to Parents on the need to allow their children to learn French Language and understand it for their own benefits.

Ambassador Ayinde made the appeal during this year’s Francophone Week of the Alliance Francaise, Ibadan, Oyo State, where students were showcased their talents and proficiency in French cultures and language.

The Iyalaje Adini of Oyo State said, understanding French Language in addition to the English Language would be a great advantage for students, adding that, they may find themselves in French-Speaking countries in which their knowledge of the language would quickly give them sense of belonging.

Ambassador Ayinde who is a fluent Speaker of French Language explained that, her understanding of the language has made her a beautiful bride in the some of the Francophone Countries she had visited.

Students from Valencia College, God’s Blessing Ibadan and also students from the University of Ibadan, Oyo State and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, competed for awards in French Quiz, Songs, Dance and Drama to make the Programme more educative, informative and entertaining. 

Education

FACT-CHECK: Sahara Reporters’ Claim about Osun State Teachers’ Recruitment Test is Partly True

By Web News 1484

By Olufisoye Adenitan

Claim: An online news platform, Sahara Reporters, claimed that the Osun state government has failed to conduct teacher recruitment tests despite charging the applicants two thousand naira each.

Verdict: Partly True. Available findings showed that Osun State University’s server was hacked, so the test was not conducted in two centres, Ikire and Osogbo. However, it was still conducted in 11 out of 13 centres.

Full Text

The Governor Ademola Adeleke-led Administration rolled out a recruitment application for teachers in Osun state scheduled for March 27 and 28, 2024.

However, on March 27, 2024, an online newspaper, SaharaReporters, published a news story that the Osun state government failed to hold a teacher recruitment exam, leaving many stranded after collecting millions of naira.

The story headline reads, “BREAKING: After Raking In Millions Of Naira From Applicants, Osun Government Fails To Hold Teachers’ Recruitment Exams, Leaves Many Stranded”.

Some of the applicants at the Ilesa and Ede CB centres said that batches one to four slated for 8 ‘o’ clock in the morning to to 11 ‘o’ clock, could not write the exams and waited till 3 ‘o’ clock in the afternoon, stranded and hungry without any explanation from the state officials.

The same situation was reported at Osogbo, Ikire, and Ile Ife centres,” part of SaharaReporters’ story reads.

According to SaharaReporters, at about 3 ‘o’ clock in the afternoon, they learnt that the officials began to lock the CBT centres after no exams were held.

DUBAWA, however, conducted this verification to set the record straight.

Verification: We discovered that Osun State University was the examination’s consulting partner and that the test was scheduled to be held in 13 centres across the state.

Although the applicants paid N2,000 naira each for the exam, many sat for it. The exam was conducted in 11 centres out of the 13.

The centres are Ede, Ile-Ife, Ibokun, Iwo, Ilesa, Erin Osun, Redeemer University CBT Center, Adeleke University CBT Center, and Special Needs Primary School, Osogbo.

The remaining two centres where the test did not occur are Ikire and Osogbo. Some applicants from different centres where the exam was held shared their experience with DUBAWA. “My centre was Adeleke University, Ede. It was on Thursday, March 28. My CBT was supposed to be at 8:45 a.m. (Batch 2) that day. I was able to enter for the test around 12pm” Yomi Aregbesola said.

Another applicant, Adegbite Isiaka Adewale, said he took his test on March 28th, and it was okay, “I did my own on the second day of the exam Batch A, Scream 2, TESCOM at Osun State University CBT centre. The first day was not very okay, but the second day was a better experience. I was supposed to write at around 8 a.m., but I entered the exam hall at around 11 a.m. There were server issues the first day, Wednesday, but Thursday was very okay,” Adegbite Isiaka said.

Also, Eunice Okanlawon, who sat for her exam in Ile-Ife, stated that the day was okay and there were no hitches for her and other applicants.“I got to my CBT centre as early as 8 a.m., had my exam done, and left around noon,” Okanlawon Eunice said.

“I wrote the exam in Ikire CBT centre. It was okay, and I left the venue on time,” Sadiq Jimoh said.

The University’s spokesperson, Ademola Adesoji, explained the situation in a statement shared with DUBAWA as due to a technical error.“Unexpectedly, our server was attacked at midnight today. We responded technically and frustrated attempts to hack into the core software and questions bank. The damage done to the server took time to be resolved. This is the reason that the start of exams was unduly delayed and had to be rescheduled for two centres out of thirteen centres.“Our joy is that the hackers or opposers of this recruitment process have failed in their attempts to frustrate us. It has been a tough battle in the last eight or so in our effort to ensure the success of the Osun state government,” the statement reads partly.”

Also, the University that was consulted on the test confirmed that the test was conducted in 11 out of 13 centres.

Conclusion: DUBAWA findings show that the claim by Sahara Reporters stating that the Osun state recruitment test for teachers did not hold and that applicants were stranded is partly true.

The teacher’s recruitment test took place in 11 centres out of 13 centres in the state.

The researcher produced this fact-check for the DUBAWA 2024 Kwame KariKari Fellowship, in partnership with Olufisoye Adenitan, FRCN positive FM Akure Ondo State, Nigeria, to facilitate the ethos of “truth” in journalism and enhance media literacy in the country.

Education

ASUSS, NSSEC Kick Against Planned Merger with Ministry of Education

By Web News 455

By Adenitan Akinola 

The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), has kicked against the Federal Government’s plan to merge the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) with the Federal Ministry of Education.

In a position paper jointly signed by the ASUSS President, Comrade Samuel Omaji, and the Secretary-General, Sola Adigun presented to the Federal Government and made available to newsmen in Osogbo, the Osun State Capital, the union posited that the plan to merge the commission with the Ministry of Education showed that secondary school education is given little regard in Nigeria.

ASUSS observed the Oransaye Report the government purported to implement, capturing the merger of ASUSS would amount to enforcing a Law in retrospect, a development which offended Law and Equity, since the report preceded the establishment of the National Senior Secondary School Commission.

“Suffice it to say that Oransaye’s Committee was constituted in 2011 and submitted their report to President Goodluck Jonathan’s government, while the National Senior Secondary Education Commission was established by the government of President Muhammed Buhari in 2019, how did a Commission that was established in 2019, got into the Oransaye’s Report, but this is a question demanding a realistic answer.”

The unions noted with concern that Senior Secondary Education in Nigeria suffers poor funding, neglect, inadequate planning, decayed and dilapidated infrastructure, and insufficient, and poor remuneration teachers, a situation which the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) came to address in order to enhance qualitative and functional education

ASUSS therefore submitted that returning it to the Ministry of Education was as good as returning it to a bureaucratic bottleneck that would slow down the process.

“Quality and functionality are crying for attention in our education system. The National Senior Secondary Education Commission has taken this as a direct responsibility by enforcing quality standards in the teaching and learning process, appropriate curriculum development, training, and retraining of teaching staff to keep them abreast with modern teaching techniques, especially in the new world of ICT.

“Scrapping NSSEC will retard developed results yielding collaboration set between stakeholders in education to enhance quality just like NBTE is doing and developing technical skills in Nigeria (e.g. IDEAS) Innovation Development Empowerment and the Acquisition of skills, through this project, technical teachers in technical colleges are being trained, infrastructures and facilities are being provided,” ASUSS stated.

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Education

Ekiti Targets Zero Percent Out-of-School Children Record

By Web News 285

By Ayodeji Kazeem

Ekiti State governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji says his administration is working hard to ensure that the state sets zero per cent record of out-of-school children within the next two years.

Speaking at an event at Ekiti State University in Ado Ekiti, Governor Oyebanji highlighted that Ekiti already leads the nation in school attendance rates and has the lowest number of out-of-school children.

Emphasizing the critical role of education in fostering societal, political, and economic development, he reaffirmed the government’s dedication to continuous investment in education. 

Governor Oyebanji also noted the significant progress made through partnerships with various agencies, resulting in extensive renovations of over 200 secondary schools and the provision of educational materials to enhance the learning environment for students.

The governor called for a unified effort from all education stakeholders to further advance the quality of education in Ekiti State.

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Fasilat Lawal

Education

Brighter Siblings Private Schools Brighten Students’ Knowledge via Excursion

By Web News 518

By Rotimi Famakin

No fewer than sixty students of Brighter Siblings Private Schools, Eruwa have embarked on an excursion to the Broadcasting House of Radio Nigeria, Dugbe, Ibadan.

The students clad in their school uniforms were conducted around facilities and departments in the prestigious broadcast outfit.

Narrating their experiences to our correspondent, some students of the school said they were not only shown the live studio where transmission of information to the general public was being carried out but also broadcast gadgets, the recording studio, library, newsroom, reportorial unit and control room.

Speaking on the rationale behind the excursion as well as the choice of Radio Nigeria, the proprietor of the school, Mr Abraham Esuola said Radio Nigeria is not only known to host seasoned broadcasters but possesses educative and informative programmes and quality equipment that could enhance the learning of students.

Mr Esuola urged proprietors and proprietresses of schools to prioritize the excursion of their students to broaden their learning horizon and guide the career decisions of their students in future.

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Education

Oyo Govt. Warns against flouting Order on Illegal School Fee Collection

By Web News 243

By Oluwakayode Banjo

Oyo State Government has reiterated that the ban on the collection of illegal levies in public schools was still in force, warning that it would deal with anyone contravening the ban.

This is coming on the heels of reports that some errant teachers, compelled pupils to pay for the ongoing second-term unified promotion examination, for public primary schools. 

Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, gave the warning in Ibadan while monitoring the exams.

According to Dr Adeniran since inception, the present administration in Oyo state has been responsible for printing question and answer sheets for its unified examination exercise. 

Dr. Adeniran explained that the government has ensured all schools in the state adhere to the examination timetable.

He said that the government cancelled the payment of fees by pupils and students in public, however, it was discovered that some errant staff imposed illegal fees in some areas.

Dr. Adeniran advised parents and guardians to report any case of collection of illegal fees to the Board, adding that the government is alive to its responsibilities. 

“Let me begin by apologising to parents and guardians whose pupils were forced to bring money for examinations. This is not from the Board, and I will appeal to such parents to report the teachers to the Board.”

“The Oyo State Government has ensured that all necessary arrangements are put in place for a hitch-free examination exercise. We paid for the printing and delivery of question and answer sheets”, he added.

Adeniran added, “We are committed to the free and compulsory universal basic education, hence, no school or head teacher found imposing or collecting any levy not approved by the government, will go unpunished”.

“The Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has been regular in the payment of the Oyo State counterpart fund with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), hence we access our funds and use them to develop infrastructure and capacity of personnel,’’ he added.

Adeniran explained that the campaign against examination malpractice and truancy in public schools was yielding the desired result.

He also commended the smooth conduct of examination in the centres visited.

According to him, teams from the Board are in other zones of the state to monitor the ongoing examination exercise.

Schools visited were: Community Basic School, 1&2, Olorunsogo; Community Primary School, Olosunde; Atolu Model School 1-4, Oremeji; among others.

Schools visited today include UAMC School, Eleja, Odo-Ona; AUD Primary School; UMC Basic School, Oke-Ado; Abiola Jacobs Schools 1,2,3; and Army Children School, Iwo-road.

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