Education
UNICEF commends Nigerian Govt. over increase in educational budget
UNICEF commends Nigerian Govt. over increase in educational budget
As Nigerian join the rest to commemorate the 2022 International Day of Education, the UN Children Fund (UNICEF) has commended the Federal Government’s declaration to increase annual domestic education expenditure.
The organisation also praised the government for increasing the education budget by 50 per cent over the next two years, and by 100 per cent by 2025.
In a message to commemorate the day, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, said in Nigeria’s N17 trillion 2022 budget signed into law, 7.2 per cent was allocated to the education sector.
Hawkins said that was a step in the right direction as the sector experienced an increase from 5.7 per cent allocated for 2021.
The official said that the country’s education system could be transformed through adequate funding to ensure schools are safe.
The country representative said there was also the need for the application of gender-responsive policies, including recruitment of female teachers and improved facilities for girls.
He said that there was still a long way to go to reach the internationally recommended benchmark that countries spend 15-20 per cent of their national budgets on education.
“The Nigerian Government has committed to increasing funding for education, which is a very important step, far too many Nigerian children today are not in the classroom.
“And for those who are, far too many are not getting a solid education that can translate into good prospects for their futures.
“At least 10.5 million children are out of school in Nigeria – the highest rate in the world. A full one-third of Nigerian children are not in school, and one in five out-of-school children in the world are Nigerian.
“While the education crisis in Nigeria is affecting children across the country, some children are more likely to be affected than others,’’ he said.
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He said that girls, children with disabilities, children from the poorest households, in street situations, or affected by displacement or emergencies, and children in geographically distant areas are all disproportionately affected by the education.
“Millions of Nigerian children have never set foot in a classroom and this is a travesty.
“Perhaps equally tragic is the high number of children who make it into a classroom, but never make the transition from primary school to secondary school, thereby cutting off their chances for a secure future.
“It is estimated that 35 per cent of Nigerian children, who attend primary school, do not go on to attend secondary school. Half of all Nigerian children did not attend secondary school in 2021.
“As we celebrate today amid concerns in much of the world about the impact of COVID-19 on education, we must take a close look at what is happening to our children in Nigeria.
“We need to look towards community’s leaders, parents, teachers and caregivers and together, find the best strategies to get ensure that all children enroll into school,’’ he added.
He also said that there was need to ensure access to continuous learning and ensure they emerge with quality skills that could equip them for a prosperous future.
He said that the government must ensure that girls have access to learning so they can receive an education that would begin to address issues of gender inequality.
“ All girls have much to offer to find solutions to Nigeria’s challenges and we have to nurture their creativity and innovation.
“We also need to ensure that children are safe when they are in school.
“No child should be afraid to enter a classroom, afraid their school might be attacked or that they will be kidnapped. And no parent should fear sending their children to school,’’ he added.
He, therefore, said that all Nigerian children deserved a fighting chance no matter who they are or where they are, saying that this fighting chance must be education.
UNICEF commends Nigerian Govt. over increase in educational budget
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
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
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
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