Education
364 blind candidates to write 2023 UTME

364 blind candidates to write 2023 UTME
A total of 364 blind candidates are to sit for the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in 11 centres across the country.
The Chairman, JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) Prof. Peter Okebukola, said this while providing the highlights of the 2023 examination on Thursday in Abuja.
Okebukola commended the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, for the special arrangement for this category of Nigerians.
According to him, the goal of the Oloyede-led JAMB is to ensure that no Nigerian who is eligible, is prevented from taking the UTME regardless of disability.
He said that from 2017, JEOG had processed about 2,600 candidates for the UTME with over a third admitted to courses of their choice in higher education institutions in Nigeria, mainly universities.
He added that the initiative had been cited in the last four years in several countries, as a good model for Africa.
”The mode of examination administration is blended- use of Personal Computers (PCs) and use of the traditional Braille slate and stylus/typewriters in writing answers to questions that are read out by a subject expert.
”The blind candidates take the same test items as those who are not blind,” he said.
Okebukola who is also the Chairman, Governing Board of the National Open University of Nigeria NOUN revealed that JAMB had approved that from 2024, there would be a gradual migration to the full CBT mode customised for blind candidates.
He said that a pilot run was to be conducted later in the year to test this mode while also giving options to candidates who chose for fully Braille, fully CBT and full read-aloud modes.
“There are exciting times ahead for blind candidates and others with disabilities in realisation of the dream of Professor Is-had Oloyede for equal opportunity.
“So far, a good number of blind candidates processed through JEOG have secured admission to federal, state and private universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
“In 2019, of the 390 candidates, a total of 175 (44.8 per cent) were given admission. This was unprecedented in the history of admission of such category of students into the Nigerian higher education system.
“In 2020, 89 of the 351 blind candidates (25 per cent) that sat for the UTME got admissions.
”In 2021, a total of 110 blind candidates were given admission, out of the 332 that sat for the UTME.
”This 33 per cent admission of blind candidates to higher education in an annual cohort is unprecedented in the African higher education system,” he said.
He added that in 2022, 139 candidates out of the 364 candidates that took the UTME (38 per cent) were admitted to the higher institution of their choice.
He said five of the blind candidates scored above 270 in the 2022 UTME, while 92 scored above 200.
”When compared proportionally with the non-blind candidates, the blind candidates are doing as well, if not better than the visually unimpaired candidates.
“The 2023 exercise is taking place in 11 centres nationwide. This is in the interest of bringing the venue of the examination closer to the candidates, especially with the security situation in the country.
“The centres are coordinated by seasoned academics and university administrators. The total number of candidates is 364,” he said.
Okebukola added that JEOG was already implementing a strategic plan of gradually increasing the ICT component of administration of the UTME to match improvement in ICT usage for the education of the blind in the tertiary institutions.
The examination, being conducted by the board for the visually impaired candidates would hold from April 27 to 29, under the supervision of the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG).
Education
Billionaire Indimi inaugurated for a second term as Pro Chancellor of the Kashim Ibrahim University Maiduguri

Billionaire Indimi inaugurated for a second term as Pro Chancellor of the Kashim Ibrahim University Maiduguri
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Nigerian Billionaire Dr Mohammed Indimi has been inaugurated for the second term as Pro Chancellor of the Borno State government owned Kashim Ibrahim University (KIU).
Indimi and his team were inaugurated monday by Governor Babagana Zulum to continue developing the state owned University which has grown massively since he took charge four years ago as pro chancellor.
Speaking after their inauguration, Zulum, tasked the Governing Council of the University to foster the culture of cutting-edge research, innovation and community development to address the challenges and opportunities of the post-insurgency recovery efforts.
The Governor noted that the inauguration is part of the broader effort to reposition the University as a beacon of knowledge, innovation and moral rectitude, not just for the North-East, but for Nigeria as a whole.
He stressed that the challenges before the new council was significant as the opportunities are myriad adding that “we task you with fostering a culture of rigorous research, innovative teaching and community-relevant curricula that addresses the unique challenges and opportunities of our post-insurgency recovery and development”.
Governor Zulum expressed delight that the student population alone had grown from a mere 300 in the beginning to about 10,000 in the last 6 years.
He charged the new council to prioritize the welfare of both staff and students and uphold the highest standards of academic excellence, transparency and prudent management of resources.
“You are now the legal custodians of this university’s destiny, entrusted with a sacred mandate to provide strategic direction, ensure financial prudence, uphold the highest standards of academic excellence and safeguard the welfare of both staff and students.
“This ceremony is a fulfilment of our administration’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the governance structures of all tertiary institutions in Borno State.
“It is pivotal to repositioning this University as a beacon of knowledge, innovation and moral rectitude, not just for the North-East, but Nigeria as a whole”.
“Section 1(1) (c) of the Third Schedule of the Kashim Ibrahim University Law, 2018, as amended, empowers me to constitute a Governing Council as the supreme governing body of the University charged with the general control and superintendence of the policy, finances and administration of the institution”.
“I offer my heartfelt congratulations to you all. Your selection was not by chance. It was a deliberate choice based on your proven integrity, vast experience and demonstrable passion for education and community development.
“In particular, I wish to address our Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Indimi. Your legendary philanthropy and unwavering support for education are well-known,” he concluded.
Responding, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr Muhammadu Indimi said he graciously accepted the appointment with the aim of serving his state and promised to provide positive change in the University.
“I accepted this position because I have to support my state. With my able lieutenants, we promise to provide positive change in the University,” Indimi assured.
Billionaire Indimi inaugurated for a second term as Pro Chancellor of the Kashim Ibrahim University Maiduguri
Education
Zulum Tasks University Council on Innovative Research for Post-Insurgency Recovery

Zulum Tasks University Council on Innovative Research for Post-Insurgency Recovery
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has tasked the Governing Council of Kashim Ibrahim University to foster the culture of cutting-edge research, innovation and community development to address the challenges and opportunities of the post-insurgency recovery effort.
The governor gave the task on Monday while inaugurating the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr Muhammadu Indimi and members of the Governing Council of the University at the Council Chamber of the Government House in Maiduguri.

He noted that the inauguration is part of the broader effort to reposition the University as a beacon of knowledge, innovation and moral rectitude, not just for the North-East, but for Nigeria as a whole.
“The challenges before you are as significant as the opportunities. We task you with fostering a culture of rigorous research, innovative teaching and community-relevant curricula that address the unique challenges and opportunities of our post-insurgency recovery and development,” Zulum stated.
Governor Zulum expressed delight that the student population has grown from 300 to about 10,000 in the last 6 years.
He charged them to prioritize the welfare of both staff and students and uphold the highest standards of academic excellence, transparency and prudent management of resources.
“You are now the legal custodians of this university’s destiny, entrusted with a sacred mandate to provide strategic direction, ensure financial prudence, uphold the highest standards of academic excellence and safeguard the welfare of both staff and students,” He stressed.

“This ceremony is a fulfilment of our administration’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the governance structures of all tertiary institutions in Borno State. It is pivotal to repositioning this University as a beacon of knowledge, innovation and moral rectitude, not just for the North-East, but Nigeria as a whole”.
Governor Zulum remarked that his administration is making unprecedented investments in education, constructed 139 new mega schools, rehabilitated many others and recruited thousands of teachers. “We are establishing six centres of excellence and have banned political thuggery to redirect the energies of our youth towards scholarly and vocational pursuits”.
“Section 1(1) (c) of the Third Schedule of the Kashim Ibrahim University Law, 2018, as amended, empowers me to constitute a Governing Council as the supreme governing body of the University charged with the general control and superintendence of the policy, finances and administration of the institution”.
He congratulated the Chairman and members of the Council for their commitment, integrity and passion for the advancement of the institution.
“I offer my heartfelt congratulations to you all. Your selection was not by chance. It was a deliberate choice based on your proven integrity, vast experience and demonstrable passion for education and community development. In particular, I wish to address our Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Indimi. Your legendary philanthropy and unwavering support for education are well-known,” he concluded.
Responding, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr Muhammadu Indimi said he graciously accepted the appointment with the aim of serving his state and promised to provide positive change in the university.
“I accepted this position because I have to support my state. With my able lieutenants, we promise to provide positive change in the university,” Indimi assured.
Zulum Tasks University Council on Innovative Research for Post-Insurgency Recovery
Education
Final year student dies during abortion in Lokoja

Final year student dies during abortion in Lokoja
By: Zagazola Makama
A final year student of the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, has died during an abortion procedure in a private clinic.
Zagazola learnt incident occurred on Aug. 26 at Al-Hassan Clinic and Maternity, Sarkin Noma, Lokoja.
The deceased, identified as Omotosho Dorcas, 26, was six months pregnant and had gone to the clinic for termination of the pregnancy.
“In the process of the abortion, she bled to death,” said sources.
The sources said police detectives visited the scene, took photographs, and evacuated the corpse to the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, for preservation.
The sources added that the suspect behind the procedure has been arrested, while the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
Final year student dies during abortion in Lokoja
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