News
Address Long Standing Issues and Enjoy Uninterrupted University Activities”- Prof. Yakubu Ochefu implores Government
Address Long Standing Issues and Enjoy Uninterrupted University Activities”- Prof. Yakubu Ochefu implores Government
By: Michael Mike
A prominent academician and outgoing Secretary General of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Professor Yakubu Ochefu has called Nigerian government to urgently address the longstanding issues facing the country’s university system and to clarify its vision for higher education in the country.
Ochefu, known for his expertise in educational policy and reform, emphasised the importance of tackling the challenges that have plagued the sector for years.
One of the key issues the respected academician said needs urgent attention is the ongoing dispute between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the government. He lamented that the rift, which has led to numerous strikes and disruptions in academic activities, has had a detrimental impact on the quality of education in Nigeria.
Ochefu stressed that developing specialized capacity should be the next phase in the Nigeria education philosophy. He said: “We are now in a phase whereby we have built capacity, in some cases excess capacity. So we have a case of what to do with the massification of university education in Nigeria, where we currently have about 2.6 million students enrolled in Nigerian universities, 1.7-1.8 million people take exams to enter Nigerian universities every year, and we are still using the thought process of the 80s to manage the whole situation; it doesn’t add up. So we need to go back and rethink.”
The don illustrated past and present events in the system. He said the lecturer who taught him in a class of 30 students. The students he taught who sat in a class of 150 students as well as their own students, who are his grand students, will be teaching a class of 300 students using the same methodology, which is ineffective.
“So part of what ASSU is saying is that we still used the same thought process, the funding, mechanism for education in the 80s. The last agreement was signed in the 1990s, nearly 30 years ago, so you cannot have that kind of thought process operating today and are still not willing to change it for something that will be a win-win for the federal government.
“So the government should be clear about what they want to do with universities. Now we have 63 federal universities, and state universities are slightly higher than this number, so they must rethink the entire philosophy of what they want to do with universities, and that is the only way they will be able to meet with the challenges raised by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other unions in the university system.”
However, the don stressed the need for both parties to engage in constructive dialogue and find lasting solutions to the underlying issues.
Address Long Standing Issues and Enjoy Uninterrupted University Activities”- Prof. Yakubu Ochefu implores Government
Military
COAS commissions 6 Division RSM House, reaffirms frontline leadership role of regimental sergeant majors
COAS commissions 6 Division RSM House, reaffirms frontline leadership role of regimental sergeant majors
By Zagazola Makama
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the critical role of Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) in strengthening discipline, leadership and operational effectiveness across the Nigerian Army.
The COAS made the remarks on Friday during the commissioning of the newly constructed 6 Division Regimental Sergeant Major’s House in Port Harcourt as part of activities marking the 163rd Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL 2026).
Speaking at the event, Lt.-Gen. Shaibu described RSMs as the backbone of regimental administration and custodians of discipline, standards and morale within the Army.
He said the provision of dedicated accommodation for RSMs was not merely a welfare initiative but a strategic investment aimed at enhancing leadership at the unit level and improving operational efficiency.
According to the Army Chief, RSMs play a vital role in translating command directives into action, maintaining troop cohesion and ensuring effective implementation of operational orders across various theatres of operation.
He added that the senior non-commissioned officers also serve as the crucial link between officers and soldiers, fostering professionalism, mutual trust and esprit de corps within formations and units.
Shaibu noted that the influence of RSMs in mentoring soldiers, enforcing discipline and sustaining troop morale remains indispensable to the success of military operations.
He stressed that providing conducive accommodation for key regimental leaders would enhance their ability to discharge their responsibilities effectively and contribute to improved operational readiness.
The COAS reiterated that under his “Soldier First” philosophy, the welfare of personnel, particularly those occupying critical leadership positions, remains a top priority.
He maintained that sustained investment in welfare infrastructure and leadership development would continue to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s capacity to remain a resilient, professional and combat-ready force capable of addressing the country’s evolving security challenges.
COAS commissions 6 Division RSM House, reaffirms frontline leadership role of regimental sergeant majors
Troops intercept cattle grazing in restricted area in Plateau, herders flee
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have intercepted a herd of cattle found grazing in a restricted area in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops of Sector 4 OPEP responded to a report of illegal grazing at about 3:30 p.m. on Friday in Nyerwie village.
The sources said that upon arrival at the location, the troops found a herd of cattle grazing in the restricted area.
The herders reportedly fled into nearby bushes on sighting the troops, abandoning the livestock.
The intercepted cattle were subsequently moved to a secure location for necessary administrative action, while efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend the fleeing herders, the sources said.
Troops intercept cattle grazing in restricted area in Plateau, herders flee
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Vandals, Recover Stolen Construction Materials in Jos
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have arrested two suspected vandals in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State for allegedly stealing construction materials from an ongoing road construction site.
Security sources said the suspects, identified as Arin Itse, 21, and Agwom Christopher, 19, were arrested at about 9:30 a.m. on Friday during a routine patrol by troops of Sector 1, Sub-Sector 12, along the Kwanga road in Jos North.
The sources said the suspects were intercepted while in possession of iron rods suspected to have been stolen from a road construction company handling an ongoing project in the area.
According to the sources, the suspects were taken into custody for further investigation, while the recovered iron rods were handed over to the construction company.
The sources added that investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged theft and whether other persons were involved.
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Vandals, Recover Stolen Construction Materials in Jos
COAS commissions 6 Division RSM House, reaffirms frontline leadership role of regimental sergeant majors
Troops intercept cattle grazing in restricted area in Plateau, herders flee
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Vandals, Recover Stolen Construction Materials in Jos
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