Education

Buhari appeals to ASUU to call off strike

Published

2 years ago

May 12, 2022

Buhari appeals to ASUU to call off strike

President Muhammadu Buhari has again appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to consider the plight of students and call off the ongoing strike.

The president also urged students in Nigeria’s public tertiary institutions to exercise patience as the government strives to address the nagging issues in the nation’s university system within the available resources

Buhari made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja at the 19th National Productivity Day and the conferment of the National Productivity Order of Merit Award (NPOM) on 48 eminent Nigerians and organisations in both the public and private sectors, for their high productivity, hard work and excellence.

The president recalled that he had earlier directed the Chief of Staff, Ministers of Labour and Employment; Education; and Finance, Budget and National Planning to immediately bring all parties to the negotiation table to again critically look at the grey areas in the demands of ASUU and other university-based labour unions.

On the theme of this year’s celebration ‘‘Achieving Higher Productivity through Improved Education System,’’ the president pledged that the Federal Government would continue to do everything possible to uplift the standard of the educational system in the country.

According to Buhari, his administration recognises that the future of any nation is contingent on the standard of its educational system.

‘‘Therefore, if we desire to transform Nigeria into a competitive, strong, vibrant, productive and sustainable economy, improving our educational system should be accorded the highest priority,” he said.

He highlighted notable achievements in the educational sector including the drastic reduction of the number of out of school children from 10.1 million in 2019 to 6.9 million in 2020, automatic employment for graduates of education and a review of the retirement age of teachers from 60 to 65 years, among others.

He further explained that his administration had reviewed the retirement age of teachers from 60 to 65 years, while years of service had been moved from 35 to 40 years to encourage more graduates to join the teaching profession.

Similarly, the president said the government had also approved a special salary scale for teachers in Basic and Secondary schools.

These, he said, included the provisions for rural posting allowance, Science teachers allowance and peculiar allowance, while prioritising timely promotion and prompt payment of salaries.

According to the president, the reintroduction of bursary awards to education students in universities and Colleges of Education comes with the assurance of automatic employment upon graduation as well as payment of stipends to Bachelor of Education students.

‘‘Quality educational system is good not just for the national economy; it is also good for the citizens.

‘‘Ignoring the productivity dimension of education would endanger the prosperity of future generations, with widespread repercussions for poverty and social exclusion.

‘‘It will be difficult to improve our economic performance and overall productivity, without improving our educational system.

‘‘Government notes the emergency situation in our educational system with particular reference to the dearth of qualified and dedicated teachers to enhance the quality of teaching and learning at all levels of our educational system,’’ he said.

While congratulating all the awardees for their various accomplishments and well-deserved recognition, the president said they had been carefully selected from a multitude of competitors, saying ‘‘this award should spur you to greater heights.’’

The president commended the Chairman and members of the National Productivity Order of Merit Award Committee, including the management and staff of the National Productivity Centre for a job well done.

He urged the recipients of the merit award and Nigerians to make productivity their watchword.

In his remarks, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, said since the inception of the award in 1991, 382 individuals and 97 organisations have been honoured with the NPOM.

Dr Stella Adadevoh and Mr Babatunde Lawal received posthumous awards at the 2019/2020 edition of the National Productivity Day.

Adadevoh, who died on Aug. 19, 2014, was recognised for her outstanding performance in the fight against the spread of the Ebola virus in the country while Lawal, who until his death on Nov. 6, 2020, served as Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Affairs Office.

Lawal, an economist by training with bias in fiscal policy analysis, management and strategic planning, was commended for his ‘‘thoroughness and paying keen attention to every detail’’ during his tenure as permanent secretary in the Federal Civil Service.

Other recipients include the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Abdullahi Adamu; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; and immediate past Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chike Ihekweazu.

Other recipients are; Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi; Chairman and Founder, BUA Group, Abdusamad Rabiu; Chairman of Globacom, Mike Adenuga Jnr; Prof. Stanley Okolo, Director-General of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO); and Allen Onyema, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, among others.

Education

BOSU VC PROMISES TO PLACE ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES ON AUTO GOVERNANCE

Published

5 days ago

November 4, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Acting VC Prof Dikwa during the handing over session

BOSU VC PROMISES TO PLACE ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES ON AUTO GOVERNANCE

By: Bodunrin Kayode

The second Vice Chancellor (VC)of the Borno state university (BOSU) Professor Babagana Gutti has said that he would hit the ground running by placing all academic activity in the University on auto governance.

Prof Gutti said during a recent briefing with newsmen that it was his desire for the University community and the general public to be able to see what their wards are doing on campus at each time.

“We shall work with partners and the media to achieve this because the media is part of the University and it is my intention to ensure that this University is one of the best in this country by the time my tenure ends.

“We will use the auto governance system to monitor what the students or members of the University community are doing at every time. I will ensure that technology, research and learning go together

” I expect students to register real time for their programs from any part of the country or the world. The truth is that most Universities do not have such facilities which makes the work very easy to handle for both management and the community.

“We shall present minute by minute development in the campus for the whole world to see.” Said Gutti shortly after taking over the reigns of activities from the acting VC Prof Haruna Dikwa.

Earlier acting Vice Chancellor Professor Haruna Dlakawa said he was excited and grateful to the visitor Prof Babagana Zulum for giving him the opportunity to have served the University in an acting capacity on the exit of the pioneer VC Professor Kyari Sandabe.

He asked the University community to forgive him wherever he had offended any of them during the period of acting capacity as the Vice Chancellor.

Unveiling his report card, the second VC noted that the young University which started with just 30 programs have graduated it’s first set of graduates cutting across all the facilities..

“As at today, we have 835 staff employed directly by BOSU while 270 were absorbed from the Kashim Ibrahim College of Education. And because of the memorandum of understanding we have with the University of Maiduguri 193 staff are on visiting appointment.

” Also, the University now has 19 Professors on sabbaticals while the student population has risen up to 7,398 in the campus.

” I want to report to you that 26 physical development project has been executed so far on campus while some of them have been stalled temporarily and I will be calling on the second Vice chancellor to look into these projects.”

BOSU VC PROMISES TO PLACE ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES ON AUTO GOVERNANCE

Education

Nigerians Need to be Educated on Stressors, Coping Strategies Against Mental Health Disorders- Foundation

Published

4 weeks ago

October 12, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Nigerians Need to be Educated on Stressors, Coping Strategies Against Mental Health Disorders- Foundation

By: Michael Mike

An empowerment foundation, Webmark Empowerment Foundation has advocated the need to educate Nigerians on strategies to identify stressors and be conversant with with our to cope with them in order to significantly reduce the risk of mental health disorders in the country.

The foundation said there is an urgent need to raise an awareness about the critical impact of stressors on mental health and the proactive measures that can be taken to prevent mental health disorders across the country, during a virtual event it held on Friday in Abuja in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Lugbe FHA Estate, Connect Her Network Foundation, and Secure the Future International Initiative to commemorate the 2024 World Mental Health Day themed “Health at Work”.

The World Mental Health Day is celebrated annually on Oct. 10, to raise awareness about mental health around the world and to mobilise efforts to support those experiencing mental health issues.

Speaking at the event, a Mental Health rehabilitation professional, Dr. Saadatu Adamu, highlighted the psychological effects of stress and its potential to lead to mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.

She said: “Mental health is how we think, feel and act. Stress is a silent epidemic that can manifest in various ways, affecting not just individuals but an entire society.”

She added that: “By learning to identify stressors and implementing coping strategies, we can significantly reduce the risk of mental health disorders.”

Adamu also recommended some practical techniques for stress management, including mindfulness practices, physical exercise, and the importance of social support systems.

Also speaking, Webmark Empowerment Foundation trustee member, Dr. Maha Michael said that one in four Nigerians, approximately fifty million people, are suffering from some sort of mental illness according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Concerned about these statistics, he advised citizens to take their mental health more seriously especially with the pressure of prevailing economic challenges.

He also noted the growing concern over the mental health crisis exacerbated by various societal pressures, including economic instability, social isolation, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Michael added that recognising and addressing these stressors is essential for fostering a healthier society.

On her part, founder Connect Her Network (known for empowering women and girls),
Ambassador Victoria Ojiah emphasised the unique challenges faced by marginalized groups.

She said: “Women and girls are particularly susceptible to stressors related to societal expectations and economic pressures. It is crucial to provide them with the tools and resources to manage their mental health effectively.”

Ojiah also highlighted the crucial role of mental health to overall wellbeing, saying that good health encompassed physical, mental, social, spiritual, and financial aspects; going beyond the mere absence of diseases or infirmity.

The Programme Coordinator of the Foundation, Mrs Alukwe Ugochinyere reiterated their commitment to breaking the stigma associated with mental health disorders by bringing these issue to the forefront, to encourage individuals to seek help when needed and to support one another in their mental health journeys.

Nigerians Need to be Educated on Stressors, Coping Strategies Against Mental Health Disorders- Foundation

Education

The School of Politics, Policy and Governance Announces Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2024: Shaping a New Generation of Leaders to Disrupt Bad Governance in Nigeria

Published

1 month ago

October 1, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

The School of Politics, Policy and Governance Announces Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2024: Shaping a New Generation of Leaders to Disrupt Bad Governance in Nigeria

By:Michael Mike

Celebrated and award-winning novelist, Chimamanda Adichie, will be the keynote speaker at the Graduation Ceremony of the class of 2024 School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG) scheduled to hold on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre, Abuja.

The event, with the theme “People, Politics, Policies and the Power of Words”, will also see two-time Minister of the Federal Republic and founder SPPG, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili; the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) SPPG, Ms Alero Ayida-Otobo and the Dean, SPPG, Dr Abiola Akiyode address the graduands who are poised to become transformative leaders in Nigeria and beyond.

Speaking with Tribune Online in Abuja, the CEO, SPPG, Alero Ayida-Otobo, said the School aims to disrupt the cycle of poor governance by training a new generation of ethical and effective leaders through its innovative curriculum.

She added that the time is ripe for Africa to take the bulls by the horns, challenge the status quo, and bring on board in their numbers people with character, and competence to redirect the African course.

“For as long as Africa continues on the path of very poor politics, a political culture that subordinates the common good for personal, private or narrow interest, there is no chance of Africa achieving economic development. This event underscores SPPG’s commitment to cultivating a new breed of leaders dedicated to improving governance in Nigeria and Africa. As Nigeria grapples with ongoing governance challenges, the importance of equipping leaders with character, competence, and capacity to serve the people cannot be overemphasised.
“So, if Africans need to transform our politics and we just sit back as citizens hoping that those who have entrenched poor governance as a matter of political culture will someday have a Damascus experience, we will wait forever. We have proven that people of character, competence, and capacity will enter Africa’s politics in great numbers. This will challenge the existing monopolistic pipeline of poor politicians giving bad governance.
“The graduation theme, “People, Politics, Policies and the Power of Words,” reflects SPPG’s mission to prioritise citizen engagement and foster a governance model centred on the needs of the people. We are dedicated to transforming politics and governance across Nigeria and Africa by training a new generation of political leaders with values-based, disruptive thinking. The ceremony will include keynote addresses from esteemed leaders and a celebration of the graduates’ accomplishments,” Ayida-Otobo said in a statement.

The School of Politics, Policy and Governance Announces Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2024: Shaping a New Generation of Leaders to Disrupt Bad Governance in Nigeria