Primary school teachers in Delta State have been called upon to adopt qualitative method of teaching by using modern learning aids and instructional materials.
The call was made by the member representing Delta Central Senatorial District in the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Mrs. Philomena Ededey while on inspection to some public primary schools in Ethiope West Local Government Area yesterday.
Mrs. Ededey advised teachers to be professional in their conduct, urging them to put more efforts in ensuring that modern teaching methods are deployed to enable pupils learn faster.
She decried the poor performance of some pupils especially in primary six classes which she said was below standard.
The SUBEB member assured both pupils and teachers that the board would not relent in its efforts in providing a conducive learning environment as part of its commitment to promote quality education in the state.
While charging teachers to be up and doing in their duties, Ededey reminded them to always update their lesson notes and take punctuality seriously; saying indiscipline amongst the teaching staff would not be tolerated.
Schools visited include Ibori Primary School, Oghara-Efe, Mosogar Primary School, Mosogar and Ekuobo Primary School, Ekuobodo Mosogar all in Ethiope West Local Government Area.
Category: Education
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Teachers urged to embrace modern teaching methods
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NUC approves medicine, 17 other Degree Programmes for FULafia
The National Universities Commission (NUC), has approved the commencement of MBBS in Medicine at the Federal University, Lafia (FULafia).
This is contained in a statement signed by Dr N.B. Saliu, Director, Academic Planning, NUC on Tuesday in Lafia.
The statement added that 17 other degree programmes were approved for the university, effective from 2019/2020 academic session.
It quoted a letter dated January 20, 2020 with reference No. NUC/AP/F29/VOL.1/50, as stating that all the programmes should bear only the approved titles and nomenclatures approved by the NUC.
The statement, however, stated that any title change that may be desired by the university must be approved by the Commission.
It listed other programmes approved for the university to include Integrated Science Education, B.Ed, Biology Education, B.Sc. Ed, Mass Communication, B.Sc, Psychology, B.Sc.
Others are Computer Science Education, B.Sc. (Ed.), Mathematics Education, B.Sc. (Ed.), Radiography, B.Sc, Nursing, HNSC, Arabic Studies, B.A, Hausa Language, B.A.
The remaining are Physics Education, B.Sc. (Ed.), Chemistry Education, B.Sc. (Ed.), Business, Administration, B.Sc, Accounting, B.Sc, Christian Religion, B.A, Islamic Studies, B. A and Geography, B.Sc. (NAN).
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Don urges lecturers to eschew acts inimical to university education
A renowned Agricultural Economist, Prof. Christian Onyenweaku, has advised lecturers to desist from acts capable of destroying the nation’s university education.
Onyenweaku gave the advice on Wednesday, while delivering the second valedictory lecture of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike in Abia.
He admonished the teachers to discharge their duties responsibly and with the fear of God, knowing that one day they would give account of their stewardship to their maker.
The valedictory lecture was entitled, “I have fought a good fight, and I have finished the race: A retrospective look at my university career (1981- 2019).
Onyenweaku, who retired on Nov. 28, 2019, urged lecturers to desist from any act that would rubish the system.
He said that he opted for a retrospective look at his career in his valedictory lecture in order to give account of his stewardship in the university system.
He said the decision was to prove that he had really fought a good fight and finished the race.
The don said: “Lecturers should emulate me because I normally ask people to emulate me in all the things I do.
“They should also have the fear of God because they are going to give account of all they have done here on earth.”
He claimed that while in service, he discharged all his assignments creditably, adding that he taught all his undergraduate and post graduate courses timely.
“Hardly did I miss classes, grading of scripts was according to the rules and release of results was also timely,” Onyenweaku said.
He expressed joy that he had an eventful and successful teaching career, spanning 39 years in four federal universities in the country.
In a remark, Prof. Jude Njoku, the former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, (FUTO), lauded Onyenweaku for his immense contributions to the growth of higher education in Nigeria.
Njoku, who was the chairman of the occasion, said that Onyenweaku was one of the foundation lecturers of Agricultural Economics at FUTO.
He described him as a highly cerebral person, who made First Class in his first degree, adding that he had produced a lot of graduates, who had distinguished themselves in different spheres of life.
The Vice Chancellor of MOUAU, Prof. Francis Otunta, thanked the lecturer for his contributions to the progress and development of the university system.
Otunta, who was represented by the VC (Academic), Prof. Maduemesi Iwe, said that the university would continue to package valedictory lectures as its professors retire honourably.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of three books, two of which were written by Onyenweaku, and the third by the university’s Department of Agricultural Economics. (NAN) -
Yobe Govt offers N38m scholarship to 69 law students
The Yobe Government has offered N38.4 million scholarship to 69 law graduates going for Bar studies at Nigerian Law School various campuses in the country.
Gov. MaiMala Buni announced this in Damaturu while presenting the cheque to the state scholarship board.
Buni said: “The 69 beneficiaries will receive a cumulative package of about N38.4 million.
“In order to support you to achieve, the Yobe state government is taking responsibility for your registration and tuition fees and your wardrobe allowance.
“Our administration will also provide you with books and computers that you need to study and to succeed.”
The governor enjoined the beneficiaries to be good ambassadors of the state.
“I therefore encourage you to dig in, and to study hard, and to roll up your sleeves. I encourage you to do your best so that one year from now, all of us here in the state will be so proud of you,” he said.
Dr Abubakar Kagu, the Executive Secretary of the state Scholarship Board, commended the governor’s gesture.
“Thank you for keeping true to your pledge that the younger generation of Yobe indigenes will be given every support and opportunity to explore their potentials,” Kagu said. (NAN)
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Bells varsity VC warns new students against frivolous activities
Prof. Jeremiah Ojediran, Vice-Chancellor, Bells University of Technology, Ota in Ogun, has advised students of the institution to desist from frivolous activities and spend their time wisely to actualise their set goals and visions.
Ojediran gave the advice at the 15th Matriculation Ceremony of the institution on Saturday in Ota.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 886 students, comprising 609 undergraduates and 177 postgraduates were matriculated for 2019/2020 Session.
The vice-chancellor said that the advice became necessary for the new students so that they could key into the best of education, learning and necessary acquisition of skills provided by the institution.
He said that this would help them to become positive contributors to the larger society in the future.
“The institution urged you all to be focussed because it has provided varied opportunity to acquire the necessary skills needed to succeed in the larger society.
“The university will also put them through the grind and be stretched to their limit to bring out the best and make them better person in the future,” Ojediran said.
The don also said that the institution had provided holistic opportunity to build lifetime value and to chart a proper pathway for appropriate networking for a brighter future.
Ojediran advised the new students to adhere strictly to the institution’s rules and regulations without exception, saying that the university has a set of dos and don’ts put in place to guide the students.
The vice-chancellor said that the institution also has zero tolerance for drug abuse and bullying either through cyber bullying or physical
bullying.Ojediran said that the management had approved on-the-spot tests for substance abuse, saying that any student found wanting or tested positive would bear the full brunt of the prescribed punishment.
He urged the parents to cooperate with the institution in bringing out the best out of their wards.
(NAN]
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Buratai inaugurates science faculty complex for Nigerian Army University
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Friday inaugurated an ultra-modern building complex for the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences for the Nigerian Army University, Biu, Borno State.
The university, which was established in 2017, commenced academic activities in 2018 with about 1,000 students into different courses of study.
The newly constructed science faculty complex comprises 47 offices, including offices for two deans of faculty and 24 classrooms and lecture halls as well as three laboratories.
Inauguration the complex, Buratai disclosed that the facility was one of the numerous projects under construction in the university financed by both army and federal government.
He said that the faculty complex was a pointer to the commitment of Nigerian army and other stakeholders to ensure the realisation of the vision of the university.
According to him, the vision of the university is to become a solution centre in technology, research and development for the promotion of self reliance, creativity and innovation in addressing the challenges of the Nigerian army, Nigerian military as well as the Nigerian nation.
“This is in tune with my vision of having a professionally responsive Nigerian army in the discharge of its constitutional roles.
“It is no coincidence that the first in the series of ongoing academic projects in this institution to be completed is the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences.
“Indeed, this commissioning ceremony that we have gathered to witness underscores the continuation of accelerated development plan for the university.
“It is my firm believe that this kind of gathering would become a repeated exercise in months to come.
“It is on this note that I want to reiterate the commitment of the governing council, management and staff of this citadel of learning to the dreams, philosophy and aspirations of Nigerian Army University,” he said.
Buratai commended President Muhammadu Buhari for granting the approval for the establishment of the university and the government of Borno for its support and belief in the institution.
He also commended the Emir and people of Biu for their support as well as other institutions and private individuals that had lent support to the institution.
“If you look round you will see several projects that are ongoing including private individuals that are constructing faculties and hostel accommodations.
“Equally, we have the government intervention through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (tetFund).
“So many of these protects are ongoing and as I said, in few months to come we will have some of these projects that will be ready for commissioning especially those of TetFund.
“This university, as we said, is a solution centre and it has a lot of prospects that we all look forward towards achieving the desired objectives,” he said.
Buratai therefore called for sustained cooperation between the people and Nigerian army to ensure that the peace being enjoyed in the town is maintained.
According to him, there is no gainsaying on the importance of civil military collaboration in the war against insurgency and other forms of criminality.
He assured the people of the commitment and dedication of Nigerian army to provide an enabling environment for academic activities to thrive and assured parents of the safety of their wards.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Fatimah Tahir, said that the institution had recorded some modest achievements since inception owing to the commitment of Nigerian army to its growth.
Tahir said that the new faculty complex was amongst the numerous projects that the Nigerian Army had undertaken in the university, adding that others are at different stages of completion.
“I look forward to the day that all the ongoing projects and even those yet to come will witness a grand occasion such as this.
“Some of the many expectations is to have a befitting senate building, a university library of modern standard, a good road network and access that will connect all the facilities in this permanent site,” she said.
The acting vide chancellor commended Buratai for exhibiting a high sense of responsibility, exemplary leadership and commitment to the progress and development of the University.
According to her, your (Buratai) desire to secure this country as a peaceful and stable nation is highly commendable.
Tahir pledged the commitment of the university management to see that other ongoing projects in the permanent site were completed within the shortest period of time. (NAN)
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Ogundoyin, Aseyin laud multi-billion naira polytechnic project in Oyo
Eminent Nigerians have lauded the ongoing multi-billion naira American Polytechnic of Nigeria (APN) project in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State.
They gave the commendation during the ground breaking ceremony of APN at Wasinmi in Araromi Local Council Development Area(LCDA) of Oyo State.
The multi-billion naira APN, a private polytechnic, is founded by Dr Dare Akande.
The institution on completion would be the second private polytechnic in the Oke-Ogun zone of Oyo State.
Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, described Akande’s initiative as a laudable one worthy of emulation.
Ogundoyin, who was represented by Hon. Ayotunde Fatokun, the Chairman, Parliamentary Council, called on well meaning Nigerians to emulate Akande in their various communities.
The Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganiyy Salau, also commended Akande’s initiative, calling on the people to support its actualisation.
The monarch said that this was part of the developmental projects expected from indigenes of Oke-Ogun to boost the education sector as well as economic activities in the area.
Akande, on his part, said the institution was aimed at churning out equipped graduates for the current job market and future economic demands.
“APN will change the way education is being presented in Nigeria. Graduating students will be well equipped for the current job market and future economic demands,” he said.
Akande said that a large portion of the institution’s 200-acre property would also be designated for industrial park to create employment opportunities and assist graduating students to start up as
entrepreneurers.He said that the effort would no doubt boost the economy of the state and Nigeria as a whole.
Akande that APN would enjoy technical support and student exchange programmes from four American universities.
He listed them as Lewis University, New England College, Liberty University, Gannon University as well as Sprot Shaw College in Canada.
Akande unveiled the departmental structure of the institution which included Computer Science and Engineering, Automobile and Mechanical Engineering and Smart Manufacturing
Others are Electrical Engineering with Electrical Transformer Manufacturing Specialisation; Cement Manufacturing, Agriculture/ Dairy Farming and Tourism and Cultural Heritage.
Akande, who expressed confidence in President Muhammadu Buhari’s initiative in rail transportation, also thanked Gov. Seyi Makinde for his enormous support to the education sector in the state.
He also thanked traditional rulers and other dignitaries for their support, assuring them of his readiness to make the APN the best on the continent.(NAN)
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JAMB sets 2020 UTME exam dates
Joanna Yusuf
The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says it will direct its 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) between March 14 and April 4.
Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, JAMB Registrar, uncovered this while facilitating with State Commissioners of Education on Monday in Abuja.
Oloyede additionally said that the enrollments for its mock examinations would hold between Jan. 13 and Feb. 1, 2020 while the mock examinations would hold on Feb. 18, 2020.
He clarified that the enrollment for the 2020 UTME and Direct Entry would likewise run at the same time between Jan. 13 and Feb. 17, 2020.
As indicated by him, the board is acquiring the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), as coordinated by the National Assembly and Federal Executive Council, to direct the 2020 UTME.
He, subsequently, asked imminent candidates to approach any NIMC enrollemnt centre to acquire the NIN to enable them register for the assessments.
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NUC uncovers why Nigerian universities fail in worldwide rankings
Joanna Yusuf
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has uncovered why Nigerian universities fail in worldwide rankings.
The NUC which talked through its Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed in Abuja on Monday during an intuitive session with writers said that the socioeconomics of the colleges in Nigeria uncover a dominance of over localisation and over indigenisation.
Rasheed further said that over indigenised colleges won’t include or be very much evaluated on the basis of the level of global understudies and staff on the planet positioning of colleges.
While responding to the deception on catchment zones, he said that it was completely false that the Federal Government had annulled the catchment region as a component of the criteria for induction into colleges.
”The truth is that the government is concerned that in this era of internalisation of university education, the demographics of the universities reveal a preponderance of over localisation and over indiginisation.
“How then can such over indigenised university feature or be well ranked on the criterion of the percentage of international students and staff in the world ranking of universities.
”The way we are going we are missing so many things, we cannot be ranked high because we are negating key principles of university global practices,” he said.
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Sabbatical is a mechanism for assuring comparability of standards
Jennifer Y Omiloli
Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, National President, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), said that teaching in two different universities is not an offense for lecturers.
Ogunyemi, who said this when he appeared on Sunday at the Nigeria News Agency (NAN) Forum in Abuja, said the diversity is generally an opportunity to compare standards.
He said dual – university teaching would only add to the program as it would give lecturers the ability to borrow and learn ideas from each other.
“The university systems allows for what we call Sabbatical. It is part of university tradition and practices all over the world.
“The purpose that it serves is that you create window for peer review. In other words, what you are doing in university A, you go to university B and see whether that is what obtains exactly, or you need to borrow something, or you share some ideas.
“Sabbatical is a mechanism for assuring comparability of standards. Anybody that goes out for sabbaticals, when he or she comes back to the university, he adds value to the system.
“You are bringing something back, no matter how little, to the system. Where you have gone too, they get something from you.
“So, we encourage that from time to time in the university system because universities are regarded as universal places of learning and research,” he said.