Category: Metro

CSOs advocate revival, integration of western education into Tsangaya system

Education
By Funmilayo Adeyemi

Abuja, June 12, 2024 (NAN) Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have come together to advocate the revival and integration of western education into the Tsangaya system.

The organisations, at the Unveiling of Training Manuals on Gender Responsive Education Sector Planning and Tsangaya Reformation, in Abuja on Tuesday, said the integration would tackle out-of-school challenges.

The County Director, Plan International, Charles Usie, said that reforming the Tsangaya was critical toward the reduction of out-of-school children in the country.

Use, represented by Helen, Idiong, Director Programme Quality and Influencing, Plan International, said there was need to give the Tsangaya students numeracy and literacy education to complement their Quranic education.

“Tsangaya system has been in existence for years when we have children coming into a religion setting and they are given some form of skills educational training.

“Over the years,the context has been somehow changed and the children in this sector are usually on the streets as they don’t have the educational qualification required to help them in the current content that we live.

“The idea is to see how we as CSOs advocate to the owners and implementers of this Tsangaya education system to see how to transform it without losing the religious value,” he said.

Also, Mr Duke Ogbureke, National Moderator, Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), called for adequate investment in Tsangaya education.

Ogbureke said that not training the children will have a multi-sectoral effect on the Nigerian polity.

According to him, the children must be trained in some level of education to understand the implications of having very many children that they cannot cater for, leading to population growth.

Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Dr Jabir Maihula, emphasised the need for collective efforts to address the insecurity challenge in the northern states.

Maihula explained that if 50 per cent of the insecurity issues were tackled, the number of out-of-school children would be reduced.

He noted that children from refugees camps, who were displaced as a result of insecurity in their domain, contributed to the high number of out-of-school, explaining tha this must be addressed headlong.

In a keynote address, Dr Murtala Mohammed Executive Director, System Strategy and Policy Lab., said addressing the challenge of out-of-school required stakeholders collaboration.

According to Mohammed, the country is having conflicting figures of the number and coming together to get accurate data of the out-of-school in the country would go a long way in addressing the menace.

He also urged state governors to be deeply committed to addressing the issue of out-of-school children by putting in place strategic plan and having the plan in their budget.

“We need to work collectively to solve our problems. We need to know the exact number, the struggling we are having is that we have no idea of the number.

“We must address the issue of disjointed statistics before we come up with policy recommendations that will clearly address the challenges,” Mohammed said.

He called for the integration of Tsangaya Education Management Information System into the existing education management information system.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Tsangaya system is one of the legacies of former President Goodluck Jonathan administration in 2014, to take care of ‘almajiri’ system of acquiring Qur’anic knowledge.

The Tsangaya centres were, however, abandoned shortly after the former president was defeated in the 2015 polls. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

FAK/ORO
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Edited by Razak Owolabi

Waterways

By Gabriel Agbeja

Lokoja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola says the Federal Government will increase the three thousand kilometres navigable waterways across the nation to five thousand kilometres.

Oyetola made the assertion on Tuesday in Lokoja during his working visit to the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the inauguration of landmark projects embarked upon by the management of the authority.

According to him, elongating waterways will advance the effectiveness and efficiency of navigation on waterways for the passage of goods and people.

“ I am aware that of the 10, 000 kilometres of our waterways, only 3,000 kilometres are navigable. We are determined to increase them by at least 2,000 kilometres more.

“This is why it is desirable for us to embark on a holistic dredging of strategically important inland waterways for the passage of goods and people.

“This is a task that must be accomplished to create positive change, and leave a lasting legacy for generations to come, “ he said.

Oyetola said the ministry was currently engaging relevant stakeholders to finalise the arrangement for the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) for the development of the maritime sector.

“As a ministry, we will continue to create enabling environment, develop policies and offer necessary support to grow inland waterways segment of the maritime sector in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.

“ In line with the mandate of the ministry, we will continue to vigorously pursue the development of the shipping and maritime related sectors in order to ensure sustainable development of our marine resources.

“I call on the private sector to explore and utilise the opportunities inherent in the sector for possible investment and partnership with the government to enhance growth and ensure sustainable development, “ the minister said

According to him, President Bola Tinubu `s policy agenda is the need to improve Nigeria’s balance of trade to strengthen the value of the Naira and create employment.

He said the ministry was determined to ensure the maximisation of the comparative advantages that maritime resources present. 

“ NIWA has also keyed into the concerted efforts at achieving the economic goals of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration led by our President.

“ I must commend the management of NIWA for their visionary intervention in ensuring that the Water Transportation Code comes alive after several years of being in the pipeline,“ he said.

While officially unveiling the national transportation code, Oyetola said it would guide the boat operators, regulate the conduct of passengers and provide a framework for potential investors in water transportation.

The minister said the code by the NIWA would enhance the ministry to standardise water transportation to reduce accidents on nation`s waters to the barest minimum.

Other projects inaugurated by Oyetola were, 15 boats of varying capacities and uses, comprising three boats with 150 Horsepower each for surveillance, to ensure that the NIWA Police officers are more visible.

Five boats with doubles 75 Horsepower each for enforcement of safety rules and regulations; one Gun Patrol Boat (combat ready) with 115Horsepower for emergency response to security threats.

Others are, one 62-seater passenger boat as a pilot scheme to replace the wooden passenger canoe, three fully equipped water ambulances for prompt response to emergencies and two hydrographic survey boats with multi-beam echo sounders among other projects.

In his opening remarks, the NIWA`s Director- General, Mr Bola Oyebamiji, said the management had put in place some efforts to reposition the agency for greater efficiency.

Oyebamiji, however, said the agency was confronted with many challenges including inter-agencies rivalry occasioned by overlapping functions that called for speedy action on the NIWA Act currently before the National Assembly.

“Sir, we recognise your efforts at ensuring that the Cabotage Fund is disbursed for the greater good of the sector.

“We therefore plead that NIWA be supported to benefit maximally from this fund and its administrative set-up,”  he said

The director- general plead for minister`s support in facilitating funding for NIWA`s major Key Performance Indicators; the Capital dredging of 2000 km and the completion of the ongoing inland port at Ganaja, Lokoja. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

FGA/ROT

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Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

Upgrade

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government has approved the sum of N25 billion for the upgrade of laboratories and workshops in public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education (Technical).

The Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja, at the inauguration of a 55-member committee of TETFund National Research Fund and Screening (NRFS&MC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event also featured the inauguration of 48 committee members of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) of the Fund.

Echono explained that the Board of Trustees of the Fund set up the NRF Screening and Monitoring Committee (NRFS&MC), charged with the responsibility for implementing and administering the intervention.

He said in 2020, the Committee carried out a review of the three thematic areas of the NRF research spectrum and incorporated emerging issues of national developmental challenges requiring innovative solutions.

“We undertook an assessment of what the requirements are to meet the change.

“And one of the things we discovered was that we have been addressing the issue around accessing and providing infrastructure to facilitate admissions of Nigerians who undertake programmes in our tertiary institutions.

“Over time, due to our poor maintenance culture, we tend to neglect the issue of quality in terms of the equipment that we have in our laboratories, whether they are functional in terms of the workshop,” he said.

Echono added that another N5 billion was also approved for skills related equipment in the polytechnics.

He urged the Polytechnics to identify between three and five skills areas and use the opportunity to mop up Nigerians from the streets

He said that through the teaching of basic skills,, people would be able to fend for themselves and as well contribute to the economy.

Earlier, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman while inaugurating the committees, urged the academia to get involved in contributing to development of the nation through their cutting edge researches.

Mamman said there had been a major shift by the present government to ensure tertiary institutions played its role in research, innovation and teaching.

“Universities and scholars have so much to do to make sure their research contribute to their personal growth and growth of the nation.

He reiterated the commitment if the administration to reskilling the education sector from primary to tertiary institutions in order to requip the youths with required skills (NAN) (www.nannews.ng).

FAK/OIF/ROT

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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Rotimi Ijikanmi

n tertiary institutions

Upgrade

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government has approved the sum of N25 billion for the upgrade of laboratories and workshops in public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education (Technical).

The Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja,  at the inauguration of a 55-member committee of TETFund National Research Fund and Screening (NRFS&MC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event also featured the inauguration of 48 committee members of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) of the Fund.

Echono explained that the Board of Trustees of the Fund set up the NRF Screening and Monitoring Committee (NRFS&MC), charged with the responsibility for implementing and administering the intervention.

He said in 2020, the Committee carried out a review of the three thematic areas of the NRF research spectrum and incorporated emerging issues of national developmental challenges requiring innovative solutions.

“We undertook an assessment of what the requirements are to meet the change.

“And one of the things we discovered was that we have been addressing the issue around accessing and providing infrastructure to facilitate admissions of Nigerians who undertake programmes in our tertiary institutions.

“Over time, due to our poor maintenance culture, we tend to neglect the issue of quality in terms of the equipment that we have in our laboratories, whether they are functional in terms of the workshop,” he said.

Echono added that another N5 billion was also approved for skills related equipment in the polytechnics.

He urged the Polytechnics to identify between three and five skills areas and use the opportunity to mop up Nigerians from the streets

He said that through the teaching of basic skills,, people would be able to fend for themselves and as well contribute to the economy.

Earlier, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman while inaugurating the committees, urged the academia to get involved in contributing to development of the nation through their cutting edge researches.

Mamman said there had been a major shift by the present government to ensure tertiary institutions played its role in research, innovation and teaching.

“Universities and scholars have so much to do to make sure their research contribute to their personal growth and growth of the nation.

He reiterated the commitment if the administration to reskilling the education sector from primary to tertiary institutions in order to requip the youths with required skills (NAN) (www.nannews.ng).

FAK/OIF/ROT

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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Rotimi Ijikanmi

L-R: Former Executive Chairman of Ejigbo (LCDA), Hon. Kehinde Bamigbetan; Executive Chairman of Ejigbo (LCDA), Hon. Monsurudeen Bello; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Ojon of Ejigbo, Oba Moruf Ojoola and other Royal Fathers

School
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to investing in the future of all children.

He emphasised the state’s resolve to provide essential educational infrastructure that would shape the destiny of Nigeria’s future leaders.

Hamzat spoke at the inauguration of Akinsanya Ajaloleru Nursery and Primary School, on Tuesday, at Oke Afa, Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

The deputy governor said the inauguration was part of fulfilling the THEMES PLUS agenda of the state government.

According to him, this a move that underscores Gov. Sanwo-Olu administration’s unwavering dedication to nurturing the next generation of leaders.

He said that the facility was built due to the demand of the people of Ilamoshe community of Ejigbo for a public primary school in the community.

Hamzat said that the newly inaugurated government-run school would provide a safe learning environment for children.

“The new school will ease the stress of long-distance trekking for children in the ward, who previously had no nearby public primary school, making access to education more convenient and stress-free.

“Also, they will be shielded from the risks of traffic accidents that come with crossing the road, thereby ensuring their well-being and safety.

“I, therefore, urge you all to take ownership of the newly constructed edifice and ensure that it is kept safe for the children,” he said.

The deputy governor commended the LCDA chairman, Mr Monsurudeen Bello, for being innovative.

He charged him not to relent, as Ejigbo community would forever be grateful for his initiative.

In his remarks, the Lagos State House of Assembly member, representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency II, Mr Oladipo Ajomale, urged the LCDA chairman to implement more  projects, including inner roads construction.

According to him, people always say that local government chairmen do not perform or work but the chairman has been able to deliver such a good edifice.

He said it was more beautiful than the private institutions within the local council area.

Ajomale, therefore, tasked Bello on initiatives that would enhance the living standards of the people of Ejigbo LCDA.

Earlier in his welcome address, the LCDA chairman explained that the school aimed at revolutionising the education landscape in the community.

He said it was doing so by providing an alternative to the costly private schools.

According to him, the school will alleviate the financial burden on residents and make quality education more accessible.

He said that, with calibre of teachers deployed by the State Universal Basic Education Board, the school had enrolled over 350 students in the first three months of operation.

Bello noted that the school’s strategic position was expected to enhance socio-economic activity within the surrounding community. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

LAW/SOA
Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Mathematics

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) National Mathematical Centre (NAN) has said that it trained no fewer than 300 teachers in three states on the use of mathematical kits to enhance teaching and learning in schools.

The Director/Chief Executive of the Centre, Prof. Promise Mebine, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja

Mebine listed the states that benefited in the training to include, Bayelsa, Ekiti and Adamawa, adding that 100 teachers each were trained per state.

According to him, mathematics kits are instructional materials that enable students to enjoy the study of mathematics and other science subjects.

“They are hands-on materials and kits that make mathematics and sciences real, concrete, interactive and practical; examples are cylinders, protractors, compass, ludos, etc.

“There are Secondary Mathematics Kits (SMK) and Primary Mathematics Kits (PMK),” he explained.

He added that the centre organised mathematics improvement training of teachers in some selected schools in the Federal Capital Territory.

“Research findings have shown that inadequate qualified mathematics teachers in the education system are partly responsible for the declining standard of graduate training in mathematics in the country.

“To alleviate the problem observed above, the centre embarked on programmes aimed at strengthening teaching and learning of mathematics at all levels of the education system,’’ he said.

Mebine further explained that in order to strengthen the teaching and learning of mathematics across universities, NMC organised capacity building workshops for Nigerian universities lecturers in mathematical sciences.

He said this training was done, most especially, in the endangered areas of mathematics and other areas of competitiveness in mathematical sciences.

On talent hunt, the director said that the ventre has activities of Olympiad Unit in 2023.

He said,  after the final round of the competition, three students emerged out of the 60 participants and the successful three represented Nigeria at the PAMO Competition in Kigali, Rwanda – two boys and a girl winning two gold medals.

According to the DG,  the centre also embarked on a serious drive to seek strategic partnership and collaborations between NMC and National /International agencies, institutions and industries to promote development in some areas of concern.

Mebine, on behalf of the management and staff members of the centre, congratulated President Bola Tinubu, on his one year in office.

“We congratulate the President on his purposeful leadership and economic grandeur that is gradually repositioning Nigeria as one of the emerging economies in the world.

“Your ambitious infrastructural development plan for Nigeria is a thing of great interest to us also.

“Moreover, we appreciate Mr President for increasing our capital and overhead funding, wages of our workers and six months palliative grants’’.

He said the centre will continue to ensurre that its activities/programmes aligned with the Ministerial Strategic plan, especially the Road Map of the Federal Ministry of Education. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

JIN/ROT

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Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

Child
By Esenvosa Izah
Lagos, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has called for concerted efforts by stakeholders to end child labour in the workplace and across the country.

NECA Director-General Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde made the call on Tuesday in commemoration of the World Day Against Child Labour marked on every June 12.

Oyerinde said that there was the need for concrete actions and collaboration to fulfill the country’s commitments.

“As stakeholders, we must reflect on our progress on this important issue and identify areas where we can intensify our efforts,” he said.

He said that child labour remained a pressing issue in the country which “affects millions of children denied of basic rights to education, health and a safe environment.

“This day serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to implement and strengthen policies.

“These policies should be aimed at eradicating child labour in the workplace, particularly within business value chains and promoting overall child welfare”.

The NECA boss said that the association had been pivotal in the fight against the worst forms of child labour.

He said that the association had developed a “code of conduct and guidance tool for businesses within the organised private sector.

“This tool aims to guide companies toward the elimination of child labour, while the association has advocated for in creased allocation of corporate social responsibility resources toward initiatives aimed at eliminating child labour”.

Oyerinde urged the government at both national and sub-national levels to prioritise children’s welfare in their development agendas.

He said that government should ensure that policies and programmes were effectively implemented and adequately funded for maximum impact.

He reiterated NECA’s and employers’ commitment to upholding and enforcing policies that would prohibit child labour in all forms across supply chains and operations.

“The private sector is willing to continue to invest in educational programmes and skill development initiatives that offer children and their families alternatives to child labour.

“I commend the International Labour Organisation for working with the association and private sector employers for their various corporate social responsibilities, even in a challenging economic environment, toward the eradication of child labour in Nigeria,” Oyerinde said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
EEI/KAY
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Edited by Kayode Olaitan

Minimum Wage: Nigeria’s interest should supercede others – cleric

Wage

By Uchenna Eletuo

Lagos, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Chief Imam of Falomo Central Mosque, Lagos State, Dr Tajudeen Adebayo, says Nigeria’s interest should supercede other interests in arriving at a new minimum wage.

Adebayo spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

He spoke against the backdrop of ongoing  negotiations by the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage.

The cleric said that consideration of the interest of the nation should be the guide for  the committee to arrive at a sustainable and acceptable minimum wage.

“Looking at the minimum wage issue from the perspective of Islam, I would like to situate the matter under the law of contract.

” Interactions between  employers and  employees should be governed by fairness and transparency on both sides.

“The employer should spell out the duties of the employee and agree with him on what will be his remuneration, which should be commensurate with job done and the economic reality of the time.

“The employer should provide the employee with the required tools of trade and create an enabling environment for his success,” he said.

The cleric added  that there should be a yardstick to measure the employee’s performance.

“The employee deserves a decent and fair remuneration.

“He should be made to know his wage before embarking on the job, and it should not be delayed unduly.

“The employee must also carry out his duty diligently without compromise.

“In view of these, both sides need to look inwards to see how their stands can be of mutual benefits,” he said.

The cleric also said that the position of the parties should be of benefit to the country as a whole.

The cleric appealed to the Federal Government to be considerate in its offer,  adding that the organised labour should be realistic in its demand to ensure sustainability. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

EUC/BEKl/IGO

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Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Ijeoma Popoola

Wage

By Esenvosa Izah

Lagos, June 10, 2024 (NAN) Some Nigerians on Monday called on the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage to reach an agreement fast to avoid resumption of labour strike.

They spoke in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

An activist, Mr Tunde Salman, said that the parties should avoid resumption of the strike in the interest of the masses.

He urged both governments and labour unions to be considerate in the offer and demand, respectively.

Salman is the Team Lead and Convener of Good Governance Team, a civil society organisation.

‘’I will implore all actors, especially the government side at the national, state and local government levels, to be honest and sincere in their engagements with trade union, ‘’ he said.

A media professional, Mr Lekan Otufodunrin, also urged the governments and labour unions to find ways reach an agreement fast to avert further strike.

Otufodunrin, the Executive Director of Media Career Development Network,  said that resuming the strike would be detrimental to the country as a whole.

‘’Another strike, like the last one, when even the national grid was switched off, is not good for the country.

‘’Things are really tough, but the government cannot agree to pay what it cannot pay, considering that, at present, some state governments are not paying the present minimum wage, ‘’ he said.

Another activist, Mr Omokhuale Ehi, said that the cost of living was high, and there was the need for a reasonable increase in the minimum wage.

Ehi is the Lagos State Chairman of Civil Liberty Organisation.

Ehi called for reduction in the cost of governance and improvement in the economy to make any minimum wage to be beneficial.

‘’As long as inflation remains uncontrolled, we keep refining most of our crude oil outside the country, tariffs keep increasing, local production is not encouraged, no minimum wage will be favourable.

‘’Also, as long as insecurity continues to truncate farming activities, inflation will always thrive and minimum wage will not be able to cushion it, ‘’ Ehi said.

Mrs Irene Oghenekaro, a dried fish seller at Oniru Market on Victoria Island, said that  strikes brought pain to the people.

‘’I am not in support of strike; the parties should rather discuss in a way that will favour everyone, ‘’ she said.

Mr Rufus Ikeh, a beans seller  at the same market, said that increasing the minimum wage was necessary to enable workers to cope with current economic realities.

‘’If workers earn well, they will buy goods from us.

‘’We want our economy to be better; the government should create favourable policies, ‘’Ikeh said.

NAN reports that the organised labour embarked on an indefinite strike on June 3 over inclusiveness of negotiations on a new minimum wage.

The organised labour, however, suspended the strike on June 4, for five days, following an intervention by the Federal Government, to enable further negotiations. (NAN)
EEI/IGO
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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Wage

By Philomina Attah

Abuja, June. 10, 2024 (NAN) The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite has called for understanding in the ongoing negotiations on national minimum wage.

He stated this on Monday, at the NCPC headquarters in Abuja, during a courtesy visit by the Magdala Unity Foundation, a Christian women organisation,

Adegbite expressed optimism on the country’s progress under President Bola Tinubu’s tenure.

He stressed that the tripartite committee of Federal and State governments, the private sector and the organised labour must be ready to shift ground in the minimum wage’s negotiation.

The Clergy commended the Foundation’s President, Mrs Bola Ihesiulor, for her impeccable character adding that the organisation’s objectives aligned with NCPC’s goals.

He explained that NCPC had declared 2024 as the “Year of Renewed Hope and Satisfaction’’, and adopted a new corporate slogan, “Service and Satisfaction.’’

Adegbite reiterated the commission’s commitment to providing excellent services to pilgrims.

He encouraged youths and women to leverage on Israel’s agricultural technology and skills’ acquisition for the country’s growth.

On her part, Ihesiulor congratulated the Bishop on his appointment and commended his leadership style.

She sought collaboration between the two organisations in areas, such as, agriculture, skill acquisition, and pilgrimage awareness. (NAN)

(www.nannews.ng)

APA/ROT

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Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi