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Will Nigeria meet education components of SDGs?

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Will Nigeria meet education components of SDGs?

Will Nigeria meet education components of SDGs?

By Perpetua Onuegbu

Education propels growth and industrialisation. Education lays the foundation for virtually all forms of human development that repel poverty.

However, in spite of the obvious contributions of education to growth and development, many African countries lag behind in the implementation of education components of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN.

This is indicated in the Sustainable Development Goals Center for Africa—”Africa 2030: Sustainable Development Goals Three-Year Reality Check” report.

The report indicates that in some instances, there is complete stagnation with more than half of the global poor (those who earn under $1.90 PPP per day) found in Africa.

According to a 2018 UNICEF report 69 per cent of out-of-school children between age six and 14 in Nigeria are in the northern part of country.

UNESCO says globally the figure stands at 144 million children.

The UNCEF report also revealed that Bauchi and Katsina led from the bottom in educationally disadvantages states, with 1.1 million and 781,500 out-of-school children.

Out of this number, girls constitute the largest with 60 per cent of the figure. By the year 2020 the number of out-of-school children had increased to about 14 million.

The number escalated four years later, in 2022, rising to 20 million, according to UNESCO reports.

Saadhna Panday, Chief of Education, UNICEF, blamed the high number of out-of-school children in Nigeria on poverty.

She said poverty is among the most significant barrier in the face of prohibitive school fees.

“This has negatively impacted enrollment, retention and completion rates in Nigeria for both boys and girls and presents a threat to ensure universal access to education.

“Low public spending on education is another factor. Nigeria government expenditure on education is as low as 5.6 per cent in 2021. The recommended benchmark of public expenditures on education is 15 to 20 per cent.

“Insecurity, including attacks on schools and abduction of school children, as well as gender-based violence at school place girls at even greater risk of harm.

“Poor learning outcomes contribute to drop out; Inadequate and insufficient physical infrastructure at schools including sex-segregated WASH and toilets facilities.’’ Panday said.

She also explained that insufficient recruitment and supply of trained teachers, including female teachers especially at the junior secondary level pose a challenge to the country achieving the 2030 SDGs.

She said social and gender norms place a low value on education, especially for girls and promote boy-child preference.

According to her limited availability of timely and high quality data also make it difficult for UNICEF and its partners to say with precision the number of out of children.

The Office of the Special Senior Adviser to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs) says Nigeria is not relenting in the quest to deliver on SDGs in 2030.

Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire,  Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs) said resources were being mobilised nationwide to promote the realization of the development goals.

“We have too many children out of school in Nigeria. So, it was against this background that my office, in 2018 conducted investigation in some selected states and we came up with a document.

“We are now working on alternate school arrangement and building more schools now for those that will join.

“We are working with Federal Ministry of Education, subnational governments, the Governors’ Forum and the coordinating Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management.

“So, we are working together, using that document to see how best we can do that. Already, the Federal Government is doing one meal a day; we are working to see how we can improve that,’’ Orelope said.

The presidential aide said the outbreak of COVID-19 was turned into an opportunity in the efforts to mitigate the impact the challenge posed by out-of-school children.

“With COVID-19, most of the children on the streets have been reunited with their families and their states are ready to work with us to get them back to school.

“For those of them that are above school age, we intend to set up vocational centres for them.

“But, each of the vocational centres will come with adult literacy classes to ensure that they are able to read and write; they will graduate to vocational classes.

“We are working very well on goal four which is on quality education and we are working on the critical targets of the goal.

She said in 2021, the office spent three quarter of its budget on schools, adding that old ones were being renovated.

While the Federal Government said it is not relenting, some stakeholders agree that more needs to be done if Nigeria can stand any chance of meeting the goals.

At a virtual seminar organised by a group of 85 NGOs, Executive Director, Nigeria Network of NGOs, Oyebisi Oluseyi, said Nigeria must, as a matter of urgency, dismantle all obstacles to equality and quality standard of living as stipulated in the SDGs.

Oluseyi said at the seminar organised as part of the Global Week to Act for the Sustainable Development Goals that eliminating poverty and other forms of discrimination remained one of the only ways to the nation’s growth and prosperity.s globally the figure stands at 144 million children.

The UNCEF report also revealed that Bauchi and Katsina led from the bottom in educationally disadvantages states, with 1.1 million and 781,500 out-of-school children.

Out of this number, girls constitute the largest with 60 per cent of the figure. By the year 2020 the number of out-of-school children had increased to about 14 million.

The number escalated four years later, in 2022, rising to 20 million, according to UNESCO reports.

Saadhna Panday, Chief of Education, UNICEF, blamed the high number of out-of-school children in Nigeria on poverty.

She said poverty is among the most significant barrier in the face of prohibitive school fees.

“This has negatively impacted enrollment, retention and completion rates in Nigeria for both boys and girls and presents a threat to ensure universal access to education.

“Low public spending on education is another factor. Nigeria government expenditure on education is as low as 5.6 per cent in 2021. The recommended benchmark of public expenditures on education is 15 to 20 per cent.

“Insecurity, including attacks on schools and abduction of school children, as well as gender-based violence at school place girls at even greater risk of harm.

“Poor learning outcomes contribute to drop out; Inadequate and insufficient physical infrastructure at schools including sex-segregated WASH and toilets facilities.’’ Panday said.

She also explained that insufficient recruitment and supply of trained teachers, including female teachers especially at the junior secondary level pose a challenge to the country achieving the 2030 SDGs.

She said social and gender norms place a low value on education, especially for girls and promote boy-child preference.

According to her limited availability of timely and high quality data also make it difficult for UNICEF and its partners to say with precision the number of out of children.

The Office of the Special Senior Adviser to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs) says Nigeria is not relenting in the quest to deliver on SDGs in 2030.

Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire,  Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs) said resources were being mobilised nationwide to promote the realization of the development goals.

“We have too many children out of school in Nigeria. So, it was against this background that my office, in 2018 conducted investigation in some selected states and we came up with a document.

“We are now working on alternate school arrangement and building more schools now for those that will join.

“We are working with Federal Ministry of Education, subnational governments, the Governors’ Forum and the coordinating Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management.

“So, we are working together, using that document to see how best we can do that. Already, the Federal Government is doing one meal a day; we are working to see how we can improve that,’’ Orelope said.

The presidential aide said the outbreak of COVID-19 was turned into an opportunity in the efforts to mitigate the impact the challenge posed by out-of-school children.

“With COVID-19, most of the children on the streets have been reunited with their families and their states are ready to work with us to get them back to school.

“For those of them that are above school age, we intend to set up vocational centres for them.

“But, each of the vocational centres will come with adult literacy classes to ensure that they are able to read and write; they will graduate to vocational classes.

“We are working very well on goal four which is on quality education and we are working on the critical targets of the goal.

She said in 2021, the office spent three quarter of its budget on schools, adding that old ones were being renovated.

While the Federal Government said it is not relenting, some stakeholders agree that more needs to be done if Nigeria can stand any chance of meeting the goals.

At a virtual seminar organised by a group of 85 NGOs, Executive Director, Nigeria Network of NGOs, Oyebisi Oluseyi, said Nigeria must, as a matter of urgency, dismantle all obstacles to equality and quality standard of living as stipulated in the SDGs.

Oluseyi said at the seminar organised as part of the Global Week to Act for the Sustainable Development Goals that eliminating poverty and other forms of discrimination remained one of the only ways to the nation’s growth and prosperity.

Will Nigeria meet education components of SDGs?

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Feature

Harmonizing Retirement Age in Nigeria: A Call for Consistency

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Harmonizing Retirement Age in Nigeria: A Call for Consistency
By Raphael Oni

The retirement age in Nigeria has sparked intense debate, with various government agencies and institutions operating under different retirement ages. This inconsistency raises concerns about fairness, equity, and the need for a unified approach. Recently, the organized labour sector, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), has emphasized the need for a consistent policy across all government agencies and institutions.

The Current State of Retirement Age in Nigeria

Different government agencies and institutions in Nigeria have varying retirement ages, including:

  • National Assembly Service Commission: 65 years
  • Judicial arm of government: 65 years for judges
  • Foreign Service: 60 years for officers
  • Nigeria Police Force: 60 years for personnel
  • National Pension Commission (PenCom): 50 years, extendable to 60 years with approval

This disparity raises questions about fairness and equity. Why should employees in different agencies have different retirement ages? A uniform policy would ensure equal treatment and dignity for all employees.

Benefits of Harmonization

Harmonizing retirement age in Nigeria would bring several benefits, including:

  • Consistency and fairness: A uniform retirement age would ensure equal treatment for all employees.
  • Simplified administration: A single retirement age would simplify administrative processes and reduce confusion.
  • Improved planning: A consistent retirement age would enable employees to plan their careers and retirement more effectively.
  • Enhanced morale: A fair and equitable retirement policy would boost employee morale and productivity.

International Best Practices

Many countries have a uniform retirement age for public servants, such as:

  • United States: 65 years (with option to retire earlier with reduced benefits)
  • United Kingdom: 65-68 years (depending on the scheme)
  • Canada: 65 years (with option to retire earlier with reduced benefits)
  • Australia: 65 years (with plans to increase to 70 years)
  • Morocco: 60 years (with discussions to raise to 65)
  • South Africa: 65 years (new reform)

Proposed Harmonized Retirement Age for Nigeria

Based on international best practices and Nigeria’s economic and demographic context, a harmonized retirement age of 60-65 years could be considered. This would allow employees to retire with dignity and adequate pension benefits while ensuring sustainable pension obligations.

Agency-by-Agency Analysis

  • Foreign Affairs: Harmonizing retirement age would ensure equal treatment for Foreign Service officers.
  • National Assembly Service Commission: Harmonization would ensure consistency across all government institutions.
  • Judicial: Given the importance of judicial experience, the retirement age may be justified, but harmonization would ensure equal treatment.

Challenges and Considerations

Implementing a harmonized retirement age policy would require careful consideration of:

  • Pension sustainability: Ensuring sustainable and adequately funded pension obligations.
  • Employee morale: Balancing the needs of employees affected by changes to their retirement age.
  • Economic context: Considering the economic implications of a harmonized retirement age policy.

Conclusion

Harmonizing retirement age in Nigeria is a necessary step towards ensuring fairness, equity, and consistency across all government agencies and institutions. A uniform retirement age policy would promote simplicity, improve planning, and enhance employee morale. The government should consider adopting a consistent policy that applies to all, taking into account international best practices and Nigeria’s economic and demographic context.
Raphael Oni a seasoned journalist, Editor-in-chief of Diplomatic Extra, a Specialized Magazine

Harmonizing Retirement Age in Nigeria: A Call for Consistency

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Feature

WHITHER BORNO SOUTH STAKEHOLDERS: A REJOINDER

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WHITHER BORNO SOUTH STAKEHOLDERS: A REJOINDER


BY: Yamta Bulama Bata Mshelia.

Amidst the very wide acclaim, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has been getting for his leadership style; a news item captioned ” Borno South Residents Urge Action Against Discriminatory Politics “, authored by one Ishaya Malgwi, writting on behalf of a self styled group; BORNO SOUTH STAKEHOLDERS, caught my attention in the social media.


In the said piece Ishaya Malgwi, the convener of Borno South Stakeholders: an amorphous socio-political group comprising mainly Southern Borno elites in diaspora, tried painting the people of Southern Borno as ungrateful for the present government in Borno state under Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.


I had earlier read another write-up by Alhaji Yusuf Adamu, expressing appreciation to the governor for the numerous projects executed in Southern Borno: Biu in particular.
With Alhaji Yusuf Adanu’s piece, one would have been happy that contrary to Ishaya Malgwi’s postulations, the governor has done something worthwhile in the southern part and one can afford to ignore the Borno South Stakeholders under Ishaya Malgwi, but for the fact that as a stakeholder by all ramifications, and I am from Southern Borno residing in Biu, I could not resist the urge to correct the the erroneous impression being created by the so-called Borno South Stakeholders.


As a witness to some of the projects executed across Southern Borno which run contrary to the claims by the self styled group called Southern Borno Stakeholders, I have always had my suspicion about this group, which registered as agents of unity and development, but which has metamorphosis into an opposition: that does not see anything good in the government of Borno state.


I have interacted with so many people who were unsuspecting lured to join the group, most of whom opted out after realizing that it was more of a selfish self serving assemblage much more than a collection of development strategists.


I have also keenly followed their programmes and shall expose their real motives in the fullness of time.


I hasten to state that no governor, in the recent history of Borno state, has done what governor Zulum has done or is doing in Southern Borno in terms of development.
I stand to be corrected, but I am also aware that Southern Borno has its fair share of representation in the government, and I know that so many projects have been completed and are ongoing in Southern Borno.


I have made contact with like minds, and we are compiling the list of projects executed in each local government area in Southern Borno.
I am sure that, except perhaps those working in Ishaya Malgwi’s conclave, most Southern Borno stakeholders may not agree that we are mere onlookers on the political scene either.
It is needless to clarify that in Zulums government, the chairman of the ruling party is from Southern Borno: and one will wonder what political relevance Malgwi is talking about.


To my limited knowledge, I know that the Deputy Governor is from Southern Borno, the Deputy Speaker of the state Assemnly is from Southern Borno, the Deputy Chief of Staff is from Southern Borno, there is a Commissioner from each Local Government, except Gwoza and Chibok which had problems, there is a sizeable number of Advisers, SSAs, SAs and Technical Advisers from each Local Government and untill recently the Head of Service is from Southern Borno and many others.


I know, as a matter of fact, that many Southern Borno State indigenes have gained appointments through the instrumentality of the Borno State Governor.
We may concede it to Borno South Stakeholders as a right to express their opinions and orchestrate their sentiments because we are approaching another political phase, and the polity is already heating up.
But it is completely inaccurate to state that Professor Babagana Umara Zulum is running a government of exclusion to the detriment of Southern Borno.


We should learn to appreciate that which is good even when it does not favour us, just as we are previledged to also criticize.

Mshelia is an indigenes of Hawul Local Government.

WHITHER BORNO SOUTH STAKEHOLDERS: A REJOINDER

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The Changing Trajectory Of Governor Zulum’s Development Initiatives In Southern Borno

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The Changing Trajectory Of Governor Zulum’s Development Initiatives In Southern Borno

By: A. G. Abubakar

The last outing by HE Professor Babagana Umara Zulum to Biu in Southern Borno, where multiple capital projects were either commissioned or initiated, signified a strategic shift towards inclusion and fair play. It was a masterstroke that had the potential to engender unity and balanced development in the region. This is aside improving the deteriorating political and ethno-religious relations and the concomitant mass discontent in the affected zone(s). Kudos to His Excellency!

The citizens’ hunger for development should be seen as a legitimate aspiration. And, meeting such expectations (reasonably) should naturally be the guiding principles of governance that successive administrations in the state seemed to have jettisoned. A development that has since created a feeling of distrust between the government and the governed in the zone. The people believe, and rightly too, that they have no other polity to call their own apart from Borno State and, as such, deserve to be treated fairly in its affairs.

Professor Zulum may be a “new convert” to this noble philosophy but he seems to have his hands on the right handles going by the strategic nature of the dividends of democracy (infrastructure) his government is extending across parts of the Borno South. And, the Professor-Governor seems to be doing this, not only with the needed expediency but in style too.

The governor inaugurated (commissioned) “a state-of-the-art eye and dental hospital as well as a mega secondary school in Miringa-Biu, Biu LGA” of the state. The eye hospital is a 40-bed ophthalmological care centre. “Similarly, the dental hospital will provide comprehensive oral health services including preventive care, orthodontics, and restorative treatments.” The Mega school in Miringa has the capacity to accommodate 1,300 students students. The school consists of 60 classrooms, 4 laboratories, and an ICT centre.

Apart from the executed projects in Biu, His Excellency ordered the construction of 5 new hospitals in the state, with two coming to Askira and Uba towns in Southern Borno. The others are Gubio, Mafa, and Dikwa. To boost MSMEs in the zone, the governor launched a billion naira (N1 billion) support fund for the initiative. Governor Zulum equally laid the foundation for the construction of 600 housing units across Biu, Hawul (Borno South),Gubio, and Magumeri, with a view to addressing the housing deficits in these communities.

Not long ago, the governor was at the forefront at saving the Nigeria Army University (NAUB), Biu. His administration equally facilitated the take-off of the Federation College of Education, Gwoza, as well as that of the Federal Orthopaedic Centre in Azare, Hawul LGA.

It is common knowledge that governance is about the management of aggregate interests. Interests that may, at times, be even conflicting. It is also about inclusion and equity.

For long, the powers that be in Borno have been perceived as lacking in terms of the sense of proportion, especially in the distribution of capital infrastructure across the state’s constituent parts. For nearly two decades, capital projects have been domiciled in Maiduguri, the seat of government.

Mega schools, tertiary institutions, hospitals, urban renewable schemes (overhead bridges, mass transit systems, etc), support to MSMEs, have all been concentrated in Maiduguri.Thus, turning the polity into a one city-state that left the northern and southern Borno enclaves out. The former is due to the Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgency campaigns in the region, while the latter may not be unconnected with Nigeria’s zero-sum geopolitics underpinned by the tyranny of number.

The state of things, however, seems to be changing for the good of all. Governance is becoming more responsive by exhibiting some modicum of fairness in state craftsmanship.The people need to reciprocate the positive gesture. Trust is crucial in governance, though it has to be earned. The recent action by the government also needs to be sustained in order to maintain public trust.

Like Oliver Twist, the central character in Charles Dickens’ seminal work (1838) of the same title, the people are yearning for more. They wish to remind the Borno State government that the Biu Dam is still uncompleted after almost 40 years! The Damboa to Biu highway, as well as the Damaturu-Biu- Garkida road, need the government’s intervention, too. The poor state of the roads have rendered large chunks of the state a safe haven for Boko Haram/ISWAP. Mobility is a critical factor in prosecuting wars and in securing public support as well.

Apart from the major highways, the Borno State government initiated a rural road development programme to boost economic activities, especially agriculture and commerce. Gunda communities in Biu LGAs and some others in Chibok, Askira/Uba, etc, were identified, and work commenced. Two years down the line, nothing has been done, leaving the affected communities frustrated as they see their hopes gradually getting dashed. For some inexplicable reasons, the Miringa-Garubula-Gunda, feeder road with a possible extension to the border towns of Galabinda and Tattaba, basically remains abandoned.

The State College of Agriculture, Damboa, is still being housed in Maiduguri, the state capital. Attempts should be made to move it to its permanent site after almost three decades. Not forgetting the need to facilitate the return of thousands of Borno citizens pushed into refugee camps in neighbouring Cameroon and Niger.The government’s credibility is at stake with regard to these issues.

The people of Borno South salute the governor, His Excellency, Professor Zulum, for the commendable paradigm shift. May it be a sustainable one.


A.G.Abubakar agbarewa@gmail.com

The Changing Trajectory Of Governor Zulum’s Development Initiatives In Southern Borno

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