Education
“Enough is enough,” Buhari tells striking varsity teachers
“Enough is enough,” Buhari tells striking varsity teachers
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday called on ASUU members to reconsider their position on the ongoing strike, saying “enough is enough.’’
The union began the strike on Feb. 14.
The president expressed worry that the strike would have generational consequences on families, the educational system and the future development of the country.
Malam Garba Shehu, his media aide, stated that Buhari made the call when he received some governors, legislators and political leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at his residence in Daura, Katsina State.
The visitors were in Daura to pay Sallah homage to the president.
Buhari noted that the strike had already taken a toll on the psychology of parents, students and other stakeholders, throwing up many moral issues begging for attention.
He noted also that Nigeria’s future rested on the quality of education.
He assured also that the government understood the union’s position, but that negotiation should continue with students in lecture halls.
“We hope that ASUU will sympathise with the people on the prolonged strike. Truly, enough is enough for keeping students at home. Don’t hurt the next generation for goodness sake,’’ he said.
The president called on all well-meaning Nigerians, particularly those close to ASUU leaders and members to persuade the lecturers to reconsider their position and its effect on an entire generation and the nation.
According to Buhari, Nigerian students will be faced with the challenge of competing with others in technology-driven workspaces.
Keeping them at home, he argued, only deprived them of time, skill and opportunities to be relevant on the global stage.
“Colonial type education was geared towards producing workers in government. Those jobs are no longer there.
“Our young people should get an education to prepare them for self-employment. Now education is for the sake of education.
“Through technology, we are much more efficient. We should encourage our children to get an education not only to look for government jobs,’’ he stressed.
Buhari said resources should be channelled more into building infrastructure and operations of the health and educational sectors, not to expand the bureaucracy to create job opportunities.
“By this time next year, I would have made the most out of the two terms, and in the remaining months I will do my best,’’ the President assured.
He urged those in political positions and places of privilege to be mindful in helping the many Nigerians that were looking for opportunities.
“If you are greedy, you won’t look around to see what is happening with those who are less-endowed,’’ Buhari noted.
The president told his guests that he had not been to his house in Daura for close to a year because of the demands of the office.
“The observation that I abandoned my base was made by the Emir of Daura, Dr Faruk Umar Faruk, at the Eid prayer ground.
“He held the microphone and told everyone that the last time I was in Daura was during the Eid-el-Kabir of 2021,’’ he mused.
President Buhari said he would retire to Daura and not Kaduna, where he has a better house.
“In 10 to 11 months; time, I will come here (Daura). I have a better house in Kaduna, but it is too close to Abuja,’’ he said.
The president explained that his work schedule was so heavy that he sympathised with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, who had to be away from his family most of the time.
He urged the APC stalwarts to keep working for the good of the people and that of the country.
“ We are lucky people. We need to reflect more on where we are coming from,’’ h said.
The president said relative to the resources available, and compared to the preceding administration, the government had done well in many areas, particularly in infrastructure.
“I wish the person who is coming after me the very best,” he said.
On security, the president said the Northwest had posed more challenges, while some success had been recorded in other regions; the Northeast and South-South.
Buhari also admonished agitators in the South-South to stop vandalising national assets, an action which, he said, also affected their livelihoods.
“I am eager to go. I can tell you it has been tough. I am grateful to God that people appreciate the personal sacrifices we have been making,’’ he said.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Kebbi’s Gov. Abubakar Bagudu, thanked the president for his leadership role in improving the nation’s economy and the many successes recorded by the APC.
According to him, such successes include two conventions to produce the party leadership and the presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We will work hard to ensure the success of our party. We have reasons to work very hard,’’ he stressed.
He noted that favourable weather conditions supported the vision of ensuring food production and making agriculture a priority with clear results in rice pyramids in various states.
“In spite of attacks by renegades, our country remains self-sufficient in food production. We have seen investments that were not there before you (Buhari) came into power.
“Not less than 20 states now have agriculture processing zones. We have rice pyramids in Ekiti, Gombe and Niger state, while maize pyramids were revived in Katsina and Kano states,’’ he said.
He added that more than 54 rice meals were inaugurated in various states, and 57 fertiliser plants were revived or built afresh.
“All these were achieved because of your commitment and patriotism,’’ the governor told Buhari.
Bagudu also appreciated the president for providing ease of access to governors and political leaders, noting that the opening of the National Economic Council for a more fluid exchange of ideas greatly helped in improving the economy.
APC governors at the lunch were Aminu Masari of Katsina State; Malam Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, Hope Uzodinma of Imo, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa and Abubakar Bello of Niger.
Others were Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Simon Lalong of Plateau and Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi.
“Enough is enough,” Buhari tells striking varsity teachers
321 companies jostle for UBEC projects in Adamawa
No fewer than 321 companies have tendered their bids for the 2022, 2023 and 2024 Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Matching Grant projects in Adamawa.
Dr Murtala Babayi, Executive Chairman Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board (ADSUBEB), disclosed this at the Pre-qualification Technical Bid Opening Ceremony in Yola.
According to him, the event underscored the state government’s commitment to due process, accountability and transparency.
Babayi, however, cautioned the contractors against conniving with any individual at the board to engage in fraudulent documentation.
“We are calling on all of you the biders; you should ensure that you did not follow any route that will involve you into trouble in the near future.
“You should also not try to compromise with our staff by bringing in papers that are not up-to-date. If at any time we discover this we will deal with any perpetrator,” he said.
The chairman listed the projects to include construction of one block of three classrooms with office and veranda, supply of school furniture, drilling of solar-powered boreholes and construction of perimeter fence.
He commended Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri for his timely release of funds and commitment to basic education as a right to every child.
In her remarks, Mrs Rahila Gyndi, the Board’s Director of Procurement, said the bid was in compliance with section 16 of the Procurement Act 2007.
She said the Act stipulated that only contractors with the requisite capacity, resources, and experience were eligible to participate in government procurement processes.
Gyndi assured that the board would soon come up with a list of successful bidders who would qualify for the next stage of the process.
Mr Philip Dawa, who spoke on behalf of the biders, appreciated the board for giving them the opportunity to submit their proposals for consideration.
He assured that successful companies would do a quality work in compliance with the projects’ deadline and specification.
Adamawa, GPE open bid for 14 projects
Adamawa Government with Global Partnership for Education (GPE) has opened a bid for 14 projects to upgrade Mega Science Technical School, Gulak to College of Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Studies (COTIES).
Speaking at the bid opening, in Yola, Hajiya Aisha Umar, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, said the government was committed to ensuring due process was followed when contracting projects.
“That’s why we are here today, to at least show the world that we are doing the right thing.
“I’m expecting that the right people will be awarded the contract; those that are here, and those that complied with the rules and regulations,” she said.
Umar said that 45 companies have currently bidded for 15 categories of the projects.
Umar assured that they would observe transparency in selecting those that would do the contract.
In his remarks, Mr Faruq Adamu, Procurement Officer, identified the 14 projects as the construction of electro-mechanical services and perimeter fencing of Hong and Lamurde Mega Science Schools.
The construction of four Block of 80-Room Hostels with Porter’s Lodge, Common Room and toilets each are among the projects.
Others are the Construction of one Block of 4-Bedroom Bungalow with One-Bedroom Boys’ Quarters, and one Block of 3-Bedroom semi-detached Bungalow for Rector and Deputy Residences in Gulak.
Adamu added that fencing of Hong and Lamurde as well as additional Electro-Mechanical Services were among the work to be done.
Responding on behalf of the contractors, Mr Adamu Umar, appreciated the state government for following due process and transparency.
He assured that, as professionals, they would abide by all the guidelines for a successful business
Adamawa, GPE open bid for 14 projects
Education
Current Low Level of Women Participation in Decision Making, Unhealthy, Cannot Be Excused- Acting VC, UNIAbuja
Current Low Level of Women Participation in Decision Making, Unhealthy, Cannot Be Excused- Acting VC, UNIAbuja
By: Michael Mike
The Acting Vice Chancellor of University of Abuja, Prof. Matthew Adamu, has advocated for more women in positions of policy and decision making, insisting that the current low level of female participation is unhealthy and cannot be excused.
He made the call on Monday in Abuja at the induction ceremony of over 50 postgraduate students of the Centre for Gender Security Studies and Youth Advancement.
Adamu, who was represented at the occasion by his Senior Special Assistant on Academic Matters, Prof. Rhoda Mundi, stated that females constitute about 49.5 per cent of Nigeria’s population with males standing at 50.5 per cent, yet men continue to dominate the nation’s leadership and governance spaces.
The university don described the situation as a challenge that requires collective action, adding that gender imbalance continues to limit Nigeria’s development potential.
He decried that: “When you look at decision-makers and those who take part in decision-making, it is largely the male population. Yet, our population is almost evenly split between men and women,” insisting that: “No society can attain its full potential if half of its population is held back by discrimination or unequal access to opportunities”.
He advised the inductees to see their admission as a call to action, stating that: “This ceremony represents a commitment to learning, inquiry, and advancing the ideals of gender equality and social justice”.
He added that gender studies is a vital field that broadens understanding of how gender intersects with class, ethnicity, religion, and other social identities.
He said: “As students who will graduate from this institution, we expect that when you go out, you will make an impact. Upon graduation, there will be a difference between you who have graduated here, not just from the University of Abuja, but specifically from the Centre for Gender Security Studies and Youth Advancement”.
The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Hajiya Binta Bello asked the students to uphold discipline, integrity, and service as they prepare to contribute to national and global development.
Bello, who was represented by Hadiza Chiroma said: “You represent the next generation of leaders and change agents that our nation looks up to. Let this induction mark the beginning of a journey that will not only advance your academic pursuit but also position you to contribute meaningfully to national development and global human security.”
She commended the Centre for its consistent work in promoting gender equality, human security, and youth empowerment, noting that these ideals align with NAPTIP’s mandate to protect the dignity and rights of all persons, particularly women and youth vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
The Director of the Centre, Dr. Theresa Akpan while welcoming the inductees, reminded them that they are ambassadors of the Centre and urged them to put their knowledge into practice.
She said: “Gender is not a women’s issue but a shared social concern. Gender is not a woman thing; it’s for men and women. We want society to be balanced. So, if we all put our hands together, the society will be balanced, and all the injustices we are talking about will be done away with”.
Current Low Level of Women Participation in Decision Making, Unhealthy, Cannot Be Excused- Acting VC, UNIAbuja
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