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Over 50% Nigerian girls not attending basic school – UNICEF

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Over 50% Nigerian girls not attending basic school – UNICEF

By: Michael Mike

Over 50 percent Nigerian girls are not attending school at the basic education level, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised the alarm.

The alarm was raised by the Education Manager at the UNICEF, Jutaro Sakamoto, during an Education Conference organised on Friday evening by the French Institute in Nigeria.

Sakamoto while explaining that over 50 percent of Nigerian girls are out of school at the basic education level, disclosed that 7.6 million girls are out of school (OOS) in Nigeria – 3.9 million at the primary and 3.7 million at the junior secondary level.

Sakamoto also said 48 percent of OOS girls are in the Northwest and Northeast regions of the country, adding that gender parity in net attendance ratio is below 1.0 in 10 states (primarily in the North) but is decreasing in 15 states.

According to him, 9 percent of the poorest girls attend secondary school compared to 81 percent from the richest quintile.

Sakamoto while lamenting that Nigeria accounts for 15 percent of OOS children globally, decried that “if we can’t address the situation in Nigeria, we can’t solve the situation in the world.”

He equally revealed another emerging problem in the nation’s education system, stating that those who are going to school are not being taught well as a result of lack of facilities.

He however added that UNICEF’s Education Opportunity for Out-Of-School Children (OOSC) project had been able to make some impact.

Speaking earlier, Prof. Mufutau Tijani – a Professor of French and Applied Linguistics at the University of Abuja equally raised an alarm as regards Nigeria’s education system, noting that more children would be out of school if the government failed to take action.

Speaking on the topic: “Demographic dynamics and access to basic education in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects”, Tijani linked the challenges of increasing OOS children to the population explosion in Nigeria.

The university don, relying on figues by the World Bank and United Nations which estimated Nigeria’s population to be 224,991,917 as of 21st September, 2023 and projected it to grow to 400 million by 2050, which would make it the third largest population in the world after India and China, lamented that the more the population of Nigeria, the more the number of OOS children as the government struggles to provide infrastructures to meet the needs of the rising population.

He also said despite significant investment and key measures (some of them radical, such as punishing parents who neglect their children’s schooling), Nigerian institutions responsible for education were struggling to cope with a galloping demography.

He blamed the government for not enforcing the 2004 law on free and compulsory basic education which guarantees in principle the right to education for every child in Nigeria.

He also said the schools were not enough to take care of the large population of children in the country, calling on the government to enforce its law on compulsory basic education while also providing more funding to the education sector.

He also called for attention to the issue of family planning and girl-child education especially in the northern part of the country.

On his part, the head of cooperation and cultural affairs at the French embassy and director of the French Institute in Nigeria, Judikael Regnaut,, said the institute will continue to create the platform for converstions that will help to improve education in Nigeria.

Over 50% Nigerian girls not attending basic school – UNICEF

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Education

Borno State Scholarship Board Defends 2025 Budget Before State Assembly Committee

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Borno State Scholarship Board Defends 2025 Budget Before State Assembly Committee

By: Our Reporter

This morning, the Borno State Scholarship Board, led by its Executive Secretary, Malam Bala Isa, appeared before the Borno State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation to defend its 2025 budget proposal.

The budget defense session was chaired by the Committee Chairman, Engr. Mohammed Gambomi Marte, representing Marte Constituency, with support from other committee members, including Hon. Mohammed Kawajjafa, representing Hawul Constituency.

During the session, the Scholarship Board outlined its proposed budgetary allocations and key initiatives aimed at improving access to education for Borno State students. The discussions emphasized the importance of continued scholarship programs to enhance educational opportunities and human capital development across the state.

Borno State Scholarship Board Defends 2025 Budget Before State Assembly Committee

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THREE NEW PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF BOSU RESUME OFFICE

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THREE NEW PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF BOSU RESUME OFFICE

By: Our Reporter

Three newly appointed Principal officers of the Borno State University, have been presented with their letters of appointment.

The presentation which was performed by Professor Emeritus Abubakar Mustapha on behalf of the Pro – Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Alh. Dr. Muhammadu Indimi follows approval of their appointment by Visitor to the University and Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum on recommendation of the University’s Council.

Those appointed are Hajiya Jallaba Musa Sheikh as Registrar, Malam Kyari Dunoma Dunoma as Bursar and Dr Hamsatu Kadala Ali as the University Librarian.

Their appointment is for a period of five years with effect from 16th December 2024.

The new Registrar Hajiya Jallaba M. Sheikh is an indigene of Maiduguri Metropolis. Until her appointment she is the Director and Head, Admissions office, University of Maiduguri.

The new Bursar, Kyari Dunoma Dunoma, hails from Manguno Local Government of Borno State. Until his present appointment, he was a Deputy Bursar at University of Maiduguri.

The new University Librarian, Dr Hamsatu kadala Ali on the other hand, hails from Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State. She was acting Librarian Federal University Gashua for five years. Until her present appointment she was the Head of Department Library and Information Science, Federal University Gashua.

In their separate remarks both Prof. Emeritus Abubakar Mustapha and the Vice-Chancellor BOSU, Prof. Babagana Gutti, congratulated the new appointees and urged them contribute their quota in the progress and development of the University.

The outgoing Registrar, Zanna Mustapha Kashim commended all that sat for the interview as they have all done well and urged the new appointees to help management build a verile University.

The new appointees in their separate acceptance remarks pledged to put in their best to move the University forward.

THREE NEW PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF BOSU RESUME OFFICE

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2 DIVISION COMMAND SECONDARY SCHOOLS HOLD QUIZ, DEBATE COMPETITION 2024/2025 ACADEMIC SESSION

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2 DIVISION COMMAND SECONDARY SCHOOLS HOLD QUIZ, DEBATE COMPETITION 2024/2025 ACADEMIC SESSION

By: Polycarp Okoye

Headquarters (HQ), 2 Division Nigerian Army (NA), organised quiz and debate competition for Command Secondary Schools within 2 Division Area of Responsibility (AOR) for 2024/2025 academic session. The event was held at the Division’s Auditorium from, Monday 18 – Thursday 21 November, 2024. It afforded participating schools and students the opportunity to compete amongst themselves, featuring varied questions from different academic fields, including Information Communication Technology (ICT), current affairs and general Knowledge.

While declaring the one week event open, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division Nigerian Army (NA), Major General Obinna Onubogu, noted that exposing students to quiz and debate competitions amidst their academic activities, remains a major driving factor that challenges their thinking mechanism, while redoubling developmental processes with appropriate and effective career prospects for achieving desired result. He said that, quizzes and debates, are empirically proven to reinvigorate continuous and effective education system that give students a break from the normal traditional classroom learning, and prepare them to excell in practical and realistic circumstances. He added that the academic competitions would serve as strong interactive and motivational platform for students to imbibe team spirit, acquire knowledge, and embolden their speech and communication skills.

General Onubogu, further said, that the competition was aimed at exposing students to critical thinking, and make them appreciate the importance of extensive research for improved innovation and intelligence. “This event, is therefore another forum through which schools can expand their students’ frontier of knowledge; making them even famous amongst their peers”, he said. He implored all students to utilise the opportunity to develope themselves, and as well earn glory to their respective schools and families.

The GOC, expressed deep appreciation to the Acting Chief of Army Staff (Ag COAS) Lieutenant General Olufemi Oloyede, for his unwavering support towards the competition; while applauding the Director, 2 Division Education Services (DDES), Colonel AO Sofoluwe, as well as teachers and organisers of the event for their priceless contributions to human capacity development. He
urged the panel of judges to be fair and firm in order to ensure a balanced, honest and realistic result.

The participating students at the competition, represented Command Secondary Schools (CDSS) Odogbo, Mokola, Akure and Ijebu – Ode. Others were, CDSS Ede, Esan – Ekiti, Saki, and Ibadan. Students in the senior category, competed in English language, Mathematics, Phisics, Chemistry, Biology, General paper, and current affairs; while those in the junior category, slogged it out in English language, Mathematics, Basic Science, Basic Technology, Agricultural Science, General knowledge, and current affairs. After three days of intense intellectual battle, winners in the different categories emerged.

For the junior category, CDSS Akure and Ijebu – Ode came 3rd and 2nd runner ups with 139.95 and 141.1 points respectively; while CDSS Ede came first with 143.65 points. In the senior category, CDSS Mokola and Odogbo finished 3rd and 2nd positions, with 73.61 and 73.70 percentages respectively; while CDSS Saki, took the day with 77.50 percent. Winners in the two categories were duly rewarded with appropriate trophies, awards, and cash prices to motivate them, and increase commitment for improved future performances. Their teachers and organisers equally received cash gifts as appreciation for the efforts they invest in training the children.

The DDES, who delivered vote of thanks, appreciated God for sustaining the committee in its various engagements towards preparing for the event. He further thanked the GOC for his unwavering support; saying the competition was inspired by his (GOC’s) burning interest to ensure that NA schools across 2 Division AOR, and beyond, are well positioned to meet up global standards. Colonel Sofoluwe, also appreciated the Schools Commandants, organising committee members, panel of judges, and teachers for their contributions towards the success of the event. Principal Staff Officers, Units and Formations Commanders, as well as Officers and Soldiers of the Division’s HQ witnessed the competition.

2 DIVISION COMMAND SECONDARY SCHOOLS HOLD QUIZ, DEBATE COMPETITION 2024/2025 ACADEMIC SESSION

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