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
UNIMAID College of Medicine needs about 20 billion for complete overhaul for the future
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Vice Chancellor University of Maiduguri (UNIMAD) Professor Mohammed Mele has said that his University will need not less than 20 billion naira to upgrade the facilities in the College of Medicine which boasts of the allied health science and Basic medical science departments.
He said that after 50 years of producing quality medical practitioners with such limited facilities in the College which were grossly inadequate to take care of more students, it was time to prepare proactively for the future which is already at their door steps.
Professor Mele noted that if the institution must continue to live to the high expectations of the North East of Nigeria and the entire Lake Chad region, there was a need for a massive overhaul and expansion of the facilities on ground to ensure that the institution meets up to expectations of its catchment area.
Prof Mele made these assertions recently during a pre convocation news conference held in the main campus of the institution where he announced that the University was one of the beneficiaries of 4 billion naira grant from TET Fund for the expansion of medical facilities aimed at increasing the enrollment into the highly sort out Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy departments.
The VC further noted that with the increase in the demand for education in the University, it was high time management plans ahead for the future years paving way for more intakes of students so that the catchment area in need for medical professionals will not suffer acute deficit.
” For now we take only about 150 students for the MBBS programme but we have seen that the current demand is far beyond that figure so this fund will assist us to expand the laboratories where our students train by getting more medical equipment for them to work with while acquiring quality education to take care of the deficit in the region.
” After correcting some of these lapses, it is our intention to double the intakes to about 100 percent so that at least 300 students can be trained for medicine at a time like wise pharmacy and other allied sciences” said Mele.
The VC hinted that the Federal Government has also allocated over N700 million for provision of hostels in the Medical College as well as more funds for the establishment of a Simulation Laboratory adding that these laudable interventions will further strengthen the University’s position as a Centre of Excellence in medical training.
Convocation and Honours
On Saturday’s 25th convocation, the VC further hinted that 20,164 graduates, which is the largest in the history of the institution will receive their certificates.
“These include: 66 PhDs1,020 Master’s Degrees 3,851 Postgraduate Diplomas 13,624 Bachelor’s Degrees 1,699 Diplomas.
“For the Bachelor’s degree, there are: 205 First Class Honours 3,114 Second Class Upper and 9,501 Second Class Lower.” Said the VC.
“We congratulate our graduates for their hard work, resilience and dedication.Golden Jubilee (50th Anniversary)Our Golden Jubilee is a profound celebration of resilience, growth and unwavering purpose.
“From its humble beginnings with just two faculties, the University of Maiduguri has evolved into a vibrant institution comprising 17 faculties, a College of Medical Sciences, a Dynamic college of Postgraduate Studies and 12 specialised research centres.” he maintained
He posited that through years marked by insurgency, economic constraints and even a global pandemic, the University has stood firm as a steadfast symbol of courage, stability and intellectual fortitude for the entire Sahel region.
During this celebration, the VC said that the University will honour three exceptional Nigerians whose contributions to society are exemplary as well as appointment as Professors Emeriti some Professors whose mentorship and service have left an indelible legacy in this University.
University Endowment Fund
To secure the next fifty years and beyond, the VC said that the University has established the UNIMAID Endowment Fund to assist in the development of the campus and all it’s academic activities.
Mele revealed that the fund is expected to serve as an enduring vehicle to strengthen research, expand infrastructure, nurture innovation, support scholarships and ensure long-term financial sustainability.
“We therefore extend an earnest call to our alumni; partners, corporate organisations, philanthropists and all lovers of education to join hands with us in shaping the UNIMAID of the future.” Said Mele.
On recent achievements the VC noted that they have been involved in the renovation and upgrade of over 32 lecture theatres to meet up to the expectations of the next fifty years.
Others include: “Complete refurbishment of toilets and common rooms across 10 halls of residence. Ongoing phased upgrade of staff offices and faculty buildings.Improved street lighting, pavements, walkways and landscaping. Enhanced sanitation through a strengthened Directorate of Sanitation and Landscape. “
Five new middle-aquifer boreholes, approved and funded by the Borno State government, has also been sunk in the campus.
Other areas of achievements include the provision of staff housing, installation of laboratory equipment, scholarships and sponsorships for students and staff, solar-powered boreholes and direct financial assistance.
The State Government, through the Borno State Education trust Fund, also recently constructed and donated a two-storey academic complex comprising classrooms, laboratories, staff rooms and a library to the University Demonstration Secondary School.
“Their investments have significantly strengthened our research capacity, improved teaching and learning, enhanced community service, supported humanitarian initiatives and reinforced resilience programming across the institution.” Said Mele.
UNIMAID College of Medicine needs about 20 billion for complete overhaul for the future
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
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