Connect with us

World

UK Reaffirms Commitment to Building Strong Partnerships with Nigerian Universities

Published

on

UK Reaffirms Commitment to Building Strong Partnerships with Nigerian Universities

By: Michael Mike

The United Kingdom Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting international education in Nigeria by building strong partnerships with Nigerian universities.

This commitment was made at the Going Global Conference in Abuja themed, “Building sustainable and relevant tertiary education institutions and systems in Africa”.

The three-day conference, which is being hosted by the British Council, holds from the 26th to 28th of November 2024, and provides a platform for tertiary education senior leaders, policymakers and industry experts to debate the future of further and higher education.

The UK Government’s International Education Champion, Sir Steve Smith, in his opening remarks at the conference announced the commencement of three projects between UK and Nigeria universities.

He said: “I am pleased to confirm that starting in January 2025 three new projects with a focus on expanding partnerships between institutions in Nigeria and the UK will be supported through the British Council Transnational education (TNE) exploratory grants scheme.

“Such partnerships not only contribute to transforming local systems and strengthening institutional capabilities, but they also create pathways for cross-sector innovation, bringing academia and industry closer together.”

British High Commissioner, Dr. Richard Montgomery, in his speech at the conference said: “With over 60% of Africa’s population under 25, and projections that population will reach 2.5 billion by 2050, the continent needs to harness a demographic dividend. To do that, more and better-quality higher education is needed.

“Education partnerships in the continent need to evolve. And the focus must be on strengthening Africa’s domestic higher education systems.”

In attendance at the conference were the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Mr. Chris Maiyaki, and other notable education stakeholders.

According to a statement signed on Wednesday by the Senior Communications & Public Diplomacy Officer, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, British High Commission, Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, Following the conference, Sir Steve Smith will lead a delegation of 11 UK universities to engage with their Nigerian counterparts. This will include a visit to Lagos to explore opportunities for sustainable, mutually beneficial TNE partnerships.

UK Reaffirms Commitment to Building Strong Partnerships with Nigerian Universities

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Soldier arrested in Rivers over attempted rape, theft, and assault on police officer

Published

on

Soldier arrested in Rivers over attempted rape, theft, and assault on police officer

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police in Rivers State have arrested a serving soldier over an alleged attempted rape, theft, and assault on a police officer in Kpor Division, under Zone 16, Yenagoa.

Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect, identified as Cpl. Dinebari Legudu, who claimed we was attached Special Forces, in Maiduguri, was arrested on Wednesday following a complaint by a 17-year-old female, Peace Baridor, of Bera community.

According to the police, the teenage girl reported that the suspect, whom she recently befriended on Facebook, visited her residence around 3:30 p.m. on the same day and allegedly attempted to rape her. She managed to escape and locked the suspect inside the house.

“In her absence, the suspect ransacked the home and allegedly stole N150,000 belonging to the girl’s mother before breaking out and fleeing,” the statement said.

Upon receiving the report at about 6:05 p.m., officers from the Kpor Division, acting swiftly alongside the complainant, traced and apprehended the suspect. Upon interrogation, it was revealed that he is a serving soldier currently on pass from his unit in Maiduguri.

The police also reported that the suspect resisted arrest and assaulted one of the arresting officers during the operation.

He is currently in police custody and investigation is ongoing.

Authorities said due process would be followed and the military hierarchy has been notified for necessary administrative procedures.

Soldier arrested in Rivers over attempted rape, theft, and assault on police officer

Continue Reading

News

UN System Meets to Coordinate Response to Transnational Organized Crime in West Africa

Published

on

UN System Meets to Coordinate Response to Transnational Organized Crime in West Africa

By: Michael Mike

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has convened a pivotal Field Dialogue in Abuja, bringing together UN agencies and national counterparts to chart a coordinated response to the growing threat of transnational organized crime (TOC) in Nigeria and the West African region.

The meeting was opened by the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Mohammed Fall, and chaired by UNODC Country Representative, Mr. Cheikh Toure.

Representatives from UNICEF, UNESCO, WHO, UNDSS, IOM, UNFPA and NDLEA participated, underscoring the UN system and Nigeria’s commitment to collaborative action.

In his opening remarks, Mr Fall stated: “I stand before you as the Head of the UN family in Nigeria, underscoring our shared awareness that Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) poses a significant threat to the work of every UN agency. It undermines our collective efforts across various sectors and impedes our achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Stressing the importance of the gathering and why Nigeria must lead the fight against TOC, Country Representative of UNODC, Mr Cheikh Toure added: “TOC in Nigeria manifests in diverse and interconnected forms: drug trafficking, human trafficking, arms smuggling, cybercrime, illicit financial flows and the illegal exploitation of natural resources, to name a few. These crimes are not isolated; they thrive in environments where corruption erodes governance and insecurity restricts access. For instance, banditry and terrorism in the Northwest and Northeast, coupled with kidnapping for ransom, create no-go zones that limit our programmatic reach.”

Also speaking, Director, Assets and Financial Investigation, NDLEA, Dr Ibrahim Abdul equally emphasized that: “Criminals have become technologically adept. Fora like this help us understand their tactics better and stay ahead of them.”

This Field Dialogue forms part of a global UN initiative launched by UNODC Headquarters following discussions in October 2024 within the High-Level Committee on Programmes (HLCP), the UN’s principal platform for system-wide policy coherence and coordination on TOC issues, particularly across the UN system. Recognizing TOC as a major threat to peace, security, and sustainable development, the UN is working to develop a unified conceptual framework and enhance inter-agency coordination.

Field Dialogues are being held in key regions – Southeast Asia, the Andes, and Nigeria – to identify gaps, leverage expertise, and develop integrated strategies. Insights from these dialogues will inform the upcoming HLCP meeting in New York later this year.
Nigeria’s strategic position in West Africa, coupled with vulnerabilities to human trafficking, arms smuggling, illicit financial flows, and counterfeit medicines, places it at the center of this effort. During her recent visit, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed reaffirmed Nigeria’s pivotal role in tackling transnational organized crime at both regional and global levels.

The Dialogue in Abuja marks a critical step in strengthening joint UN efforts to support Nigeria in addressing the complex challenges posed by organized crime.

UN System Meets to Coordinate Response to Transnational Organized Crime in West Africa

Continue Reading

News

Armed Bandits Kill One, Abduct 50 in Tungar Dada Village Attack in Sokoto

Published

on

Armed Bandits Kill One, Abduct 50 in Tungar Dada Village Attack in Sokoto

By: Zagazola Makama

A bandit attack on Tungar Dada Village in the Moriki District of Zurmi Local Government Area (LGA) in Sokoto on April 13, 2025, has left one person dead and 50 others abducted.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 0400hrs, when a group of armed bandits stormed the village, shooting and killing one individual while abducting 50 villagers to an unknown destination.

Security officials have confirmed the death and are actively pursuing leads to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the suspects.

Armed Bandits Kill One, Abduct 50 in Tungar Dada Village Attack in Sokoto

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights