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Kogi Poly Partners TETFUND In Training Staff on ICT
By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Acting Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Dr Salisu Ogbo Usman has reinstated his commitment to ensure that the institution is driven by Information and Communication Technology in all phases.
As part of efforts to make the members of staff digitally compliant, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja is collaborating with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, (TETFUND) to empower staff on Information and Communication Technology,(ICT).
In a press statement issued by the Head, Public Relations and Protocol Unit, of the institution, Mrs Uredo Omale said the Rector gave the assurance while declaring the training open at the institution’s CBT Centre on Monday, noting that a standard institution like Kogi State Polytechnic must be driven by ICT in all phases.
The week long capacity training which commenced on Monday according to the statement would see 91 members of staff, including Academic and Non-academic, gain knowledge on various aspects of ICT.
Dr Usman said that the school had upgraded her ICT consciousness by having a Directorate of Information Technology and Resource Centre which has recorded much success within the short time of existence.
He noted that the institution recently conducted a computer based test (CBT), which was largely supported by school personnel, reinstalled internet services on campus.
Dr. Usman stressed that “all General Studies examinations would be computer-based as Tertiary Institution is supposed to be driven by ICT in all standards and that is why we talk about e-payment, e-learning and e-security, amongst others.”
“We are already fixing CCTV in all nooks and crannies of the institution to enable us identify source of any social vices arrangements on the campus.”
On the issue of Staff welfare, Dr Usman disclosed that payment of promotion arrears for staff would take effect from January 2021 all things being equal.
He added that the capacity building training on ICT for the Academic and Non-academic staff of the institution was also part of improving their welfare as it would make them to be relevant and digitally inclined to impact posively on the society.
Dr Usman commended the Director of Information Technology Resource Centre, Dr Ayodele Oluwakemi for her efforts in ensuring that the training became a reality. He further charged the 91 participants to take advantage of the training and acquire the requisite digital knowledge.
In her remarks, the Director, ITRC, Dr Ayodele Oluwakemi said courses to be taken during the one week training includes Intermediate Module, ICT in Education, Digital Marketing, Preparation Output, Presentation Applications, amongst others.
The TETFUND team was led by Mr. Abraham Obatokun as the Lead Consultant, Mr. Oyeleye Olakunle as the Training Administrator , Mr. Anthony Olosami, Mr. Adeyanmi Oyenuga and Mr. Adeleye Adeoye as facilitators respectively
December 15, 2020
Insecurity: Zamfara closes border, schools
From Abba Kabara, Gusau

Scared by the recent tragic incidence at Kankara where more than three hundred boarding students were abducted, Zamfara state government has ordered the closure of ten border schools with immediate affect.

The state commissioner of education Dr.Ibrahim Abdullahi Gusau discloses this to newsmen in his office today.

He said the hovering security threats facing the front line state of Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna and Zamfara cannot be overlooked, stressing that in a situation like this “there is urgent need for taking proactive measure to stay safe”.

The commissioner said in view of this, his ministry advised the governor on the need to close some secondary schools sharing common border with neighboring states until the situation improves.

He said the schools affected include seven boarding and three day schools,
December 15, 2020
Egypt receives 1st batch of Chinese anti-coronavirus vaccine
Egypt received the first batch of Chinese anti-coronavirus vaccine late on Thursday to help fight against the COVID-19 epidemic.
“It’s a historic day to receive the first air shipments of the Chinese anti-coronavirus vaccine,” said Egyptian Minister of Health Hala Zayed in a press conference held at Cairo International Airport.
“The new Chinese vaccine will be available for citizens for free upon directives of the political leadership,” she added.
The priority of distributing the vaccine would be given to the medical staff in isolation hospitals, people with chronic diseases like cancer and kidney failure, and the elderly, Zayed noted.
According to the official, the batch of the vaccine, developed by China’s state-owned Sinopharm pharmaceutical firm, came from the United Arab Emirates.
On December 9, the UAE announced the official registration of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by the China National Pharmaceutical Group, or Sinopharm.
The UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention said in a statement that the interim analysis of the phase III trials shows the Chinese vaccine provides 86 percent efficacy against COVID-19 infection.
According to the statement, the analysis also shows the vaccine to have 99 percent seroconversion rate of neutralizing antibody and 100 percent effectiveness in preventing moderate and severe cases of the disease. Furthermore, the analysis shows no serious safety concerns.
Emirati Charge d’affaires to Egypt Mariam Al-Kaabi said that the positive thing of the pandemic is to bring solidarity and coordination among the nations especially the people of the three countries.
She added that the ties between the UAE and Egypt represent “a model of solidarity for the Arab countries cooperation.”
Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang hailed that the ties between Egypt and China have been advanced a lot under the leadership of the two countries especially this year after the spread of COVID-19.
“Today the arrival of the vaccine is evidence of the deep ties, solidarity and cooperation between China and the Arab countries, ” Liao said, saying that China is in full readiness and very keen to continue enhancing the solidarity with the Arab countries for fighting the virus and overcome its crisis.
December 15, 2020
Kankara: NUT Expresses Grievances Over Rising Cases Of Kidnapping of Students, Teachers
… Says FG, States Must Rise Up To Responsibilities
By Williams Anuku Abuja
The leadership of Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT has said it is highly disturbed by the re-emerging incidence of school invasion and abduction of teachers and students across the country’s educational institutions.
Mike Ike Ene, Secretary General of NUT said in a statement on Tuesday, that the wicked and merciless hands of anti education terrorist clinched Mr. Alu Ola Paul a Head teacher with Olagua Primary School Ohordua in Edo State, and Kidnapped him on his way to work on the 1st December, 2020 and released six day later.
In the same vein on 8th December, 2020, Mrs Gladys Niemogha Belleh and Mrs Blessing Emunefe both of whom are teachers of Ohorhe Sceondary School Effurun in Delta State were kidnapped in their school premises by armed bandits and are yet to be released, thereby throwing both families, students, and the school community into emotional and overall destabilization.
Similarly, the Night of Friday 11th December, 2020 Government Science Secondary School Kankara in katsina State, was invaded by armed bandits with reports that 333 students are yet to be accounted for as at today, this dastardly act has sent shivers through the spine of other members of the entire school community of Katsina state.
He said these incidences are sad reminders of previous ugly events in Chibok and Dapchi, where Boko Haram terrorist had attacked and abducted students creating monumental disruption of school activities and impeding our nations educational growth and advancement while subjecting family members and relatives to unimaginable trauma.
NUT’s leadership also said with these ugly developments, the government must begin to consider the implementation of Life Insurance and Hazard Allowance to teachers in our Basic and Senior Secondary Schools as approved by President Muhammadu Buhari on the occasion of the World Teachers’ Day 2020.
The recent condemnable events of Bandits attack on schools, if not immediately addressed will largely affect the 2019/2020 academic calender which has already been disrupted by the six month long lock down caused by the Covid- 19 pandemic.
According to NUT, as a union the NUT will not fold her hands and watch enemies of educational development to threaten the nations educational system to suffocation. As such we wish to remind our government at all levels, of their primary responsibility as enshrined in the constitution which is the security of lives and property of the entire Nigerian citizens.
“The NUT make bold to demand that government must rise to these challenge and take up its responsibility to guarantee and execute this general principle and commitment of providing adequate security to all our educational institutions and the nation at large.
“Unfortunately it is becoming apparent that government can not provide security and safety of our teachers, students and the educational community across Nigeria. This unfortunate situation must be address without further contemplation.
“In light of these recent developments, the Nigeria Union of Teachers may be compelled to down tools pending when it is safe for our members to teach and guide our pupils and students without fear of abduction by these faceless enemies of educational prosperity of the Nigerian Nation.
“The NUT herewith extend our appeal to all stake holders to join hands with the government and security agencies to provide adequate protection for the students, pupils, teachers and the school communities, to ensure that educational activities are not hampered by enemies of the nations educational system using schools as soft targets.
“In order not to escalate the disruption of our academic calendar which is in a fragile state as a result of Covid- 19 pandemic. NUT unequivocally call on the Federal, States and Local government to ensure adequate security and 24 hour surveillance around our schools.
“Our prayers are with families of the abducted teachers and students as we hold unto government on their promise to ensure their safe release to be reunited with family members and relatives without further delay, “it stated.
December 15, 2020
BREAKING: Omah Lay, Tems released from custody in Uganda
A Chief Magistrate Court in Uganda today December 15, dropped the charges against fast-rising Nigerian singers, Omah Lay and Tems.
The singers were arrested on Sunday, December 13, and charged with doing “acts that are likely to cause the spread of infectious disease, Covid-19” following the illegal concert at Ddungu resort in Munyonyo with large crowds while the country is on lockdown.
They were arraigned before the Makindye division court on Monday, December 14 and remanded in different prisons till Wednesday, December 16.
Following the outcry from Nigerians and some diplomatic moves made by the Nigerian government, the charges against them have now been dropped.
See the court papers indicating that the charges have been dropped below
December 15, 2020
17 Abducted Schoolboys Escape From Captivity – Gov Masari
Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari has disclosed that 17 of the missing schoolboys kidnapped from a Government Science Secondary School (GSSS) in Kankara Local Government Area of the state have escaped from captivity.
Governor Masari who disclosed this in an interview on Monday evening said the schoolboys were found and have been reunited with their families.
He added that efforts have been intensified to rescue the remaining schoolboys still in captivity, safely.
“As at today, information available to me shows that 17 of the missing children have been found. 15 of them were found around Dinya in Danmusa, I was informed by the DPO. One other was found through them and the last, the father called that his son has returned home.
“All these missing children who have been found have been reunited with their families since we have shut down the schools,” Masari said.
He said that the victims escaped unconditionally and one of the abducted children’s father, who is also a teacher at the school was contacted by the captors who warned that security forces should stop using helicopters around their hideouts.
“I was told that they spoke with a teacher whose son was also kidnapped that the bandits said the helicopter should stop roving and that they will collect ransom but they didn’t specify. And so they ended the call.
“Majority of the missing children are in the forest in Zamfara. But God willing, the children will be returned safely,” the governor added.
He said that the bandits however ordered that adequate money should be earmarked and budgeted by those concerned pending the completion of the ongoing rescue mission.
The governor, therefore, solicited prayers and urged the parents to remain calm and patient as “we are doing everything possible to rescue the children.”
December 15, 2020
Buhari should leave his cows for once in preference for the lives of his fellow human beings – Oby Ezekwesili
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has lambasted President Buhari over the abduction of 333 schoolboys in Kankara, Katsina State.
Recall that on Friday, December 11, Boko Haram members stormed the Government Science School in Kankara and abducted over 300 students. On Saturday morning December 12, President Buhari visited his cows. Many Nigerians have condemned him for choosing to visit his cattle ranch instead of visiting the distraught parents of the abducted students.
In a series of tweets posted today December 15, Ezekwesili asked President Buhari to stop being ‘inhuman, coldly indifferent and rescue abducted students. She pleaded with the President to leave his cows in Daura and prioritize the lives of the school children who were separated from their loved ones for about four days now.”
Ezekwesili recalled the abduction of Chibok girls in 2014 and urged Buhari to seek the help of the U.S military.
Read her tweets below
December 15, 2020
BREAKING: Kaduna State Govt shut schools over COVID-19 second wave
The Kaduna State Government has announced the closure of schools across the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.
This followed an upsurge of the COVID-19 in the state, according to the State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Shehu Makarfi.
The statement directed all schools in the state to close as from Wednesday, December 16, 2020.
Makarfi said the measure was taken to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic following its second wave in the state.
The Commissioner in a statement issued on Tuesday said the ministry decided to shut down the schools due to the rising cases of COVID-19 infections in the state.
According to him, the rising cases of COVID-19 showed a replicate of figures recorded in the first wave of the pandemic in April, May and June 2020, indicating that a new wave of the infection is rapidly spreading across the state.
He noted that the State’s Ministry of Health has further confirmed that, while the infections cut across age groups, the new wave especially, affects those between 10 and 35 years (which form a majority of the populace in the education sector).
He added that in its effort to contain the spread of the pandemic and save the lives of people in the state, the state “is directing all public and private schools to conclude all necessary arrangements and close on Wednesday, 16th December, 2020 as opposed to the initial closings.”
All examinations, the commissioner said, must be concluded on or before Tuesday, 15th December, 2020 in all institutions of learning across the state.
He added that physical classes in the universities and other institutions of Higher Learning would not be held during the period of closure.
He said Institutions can make other arrangements for teaching and learning and other activities in line with their continuity and contingency plans.
The commissioner said to minimise the impact on teaching and learning, all schools would continue to plan lessons and where possible, provide online resources for students or online lessons where schools are equipped to do so.
“Learners in the basic, post basic and secondary school levels could continue learning while at home from the Kaduna State TV and Radio e-Learning Programmes,” the statement noted.
The statement read, “the ministry wishes to inform the general public, parents, guardians and students of the date of school’s closure due to rising cases of COVID-19 infections in the state which shows a replicate of figures recorded in the first wave of the pandemic in April, May and June 2020. Indicating that a new wave of the infection is rapidly spreading across the state.”
December 15, 2020
Impact lives of your people, Gbajabiamila urges those in authority
…as Imo Reps dole out commercial vehicles, motorcycles, grinding machines to constituents
Doris Ferdinand
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has enjoined Nigerians in positions of authority to imbibe the culture of impacting the lives of their people positively.
He said the welfare of the people should be of concern to Nigerians elected or appointed to serve at all times.
Gbajabiamila spoke on Monday at the Central School Umuozu, Nwagele LGA, Imo State during the constituency empowerment of Isu/Njaba/Nkwerre/Nwangele and Ideato North/South Federal Constituencies by Rep Ugonna Ozurigbo and Rep. Paschal Obi respectively.
Gbajabiamila, who was represented at the events by the Majority Leader of the House, Rep. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, said the regular empowerment of the constituents has the ultimate potential of lifting a large number of people out of poverty and make them useful to the society.
The House Leader was accompanied by the Deputy Whip of the House, Rep. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Rep. Bello Kaoje (Kebbi), Rep. Bello Nagari (Taraba), Rep. Babangida Alhassan (Kano), Rep. Samaila Suleiman (Kaduna), Rep. Sani Bala (Kano) and Special Assistant to Speaker Gbajabiamila on Legislative Matters, Hon. Nnanna Igbokwe.
A former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, a former governorship candidate in the state, Uche Nwosu, and members of the traditional rulers’ council from the two Federal Constituencies also graced the empowerment programmes.
While appreciating the legislative efforts and the economic empowerment of their constituents, Gbajabiamila said the events of the day became worthwhile considering the dire economic situation foisted on Nigerians by the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
The Speaker urged the beneficiaries to show appreciation by growing their respective trades so that they could empower others.
“Aware of our present economic situation, what is happening here today is what has been going on around the entire country by every member of the House of Representatives.
“What we are witnessing here today and around the country by members of the House of Representatives is to show that we are not only sensitive but also responsible to the people who have elected us into office.”
Saying that members would not relent in empowering their constituents, he assured that the House will continue to support and complement the policies and programmes of the government at the centre and the states toward resolving socio-political, economic and security challenges confronting the country.
While appreciating Gbajabiamila, in his remark, Uzorigbo, who was at the third phase of his empowerment programmes, presented 60 commercial vehicles to beneficiaries from among his constituents at the Central School Umuozu, Nwagele LGA, disclosed that the Speaker was instrumental to the inclusion of the City Centre project in the national budget.
At the Civic Centre Ogboko, Ideato South LGA, over 300 people were presented with commercial vehicles, motorcycles, sewing machines, grinding machines and household materials, including foams, among several other economic items by Rep. Paschal Obi.
December 15, 2020
Governor Lalong Appoints Acting Provost, College Of Education Gindiri
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has approved the appointment of Mr. Emmanuel Jurte as Acting Provost of the College of Education Gindiri, following the expiration of the tenure of the Sole Administrator, Monsignor Prof. Cletus Tanimu Gotan.

The Acting Provost is to oversee the affairs of the Institution pending the conclusion of the process for the appointment of a substantive Provost and other principal officers which is already in process.

Until his appointment Mr. Jurte was the Dean, School of Social Sciences and Chairman, Committee of Deans of the College.
Meanwhile, Governor Lalong has expressed appreciation to Monsignor Prof. Cletus Tanimu Gotan for his commitment, dedication and sacrifices during his stewardship which greatly assisted in repositioning the institution.

He said the clergyman deployed his vast academic and administrative knowledge in addressing some of the challenges of the College which culminated in holding the 28th-33rd Combined Convocation of the institution in 2019.
The Governor also commended him for also ensuring the accreditation of more courses at the institution as well as enhancing teaching and learning.
December 15, 2020