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  • Tinubu is rebooting education sector with creative initiatives, says group

    Tinubu is rebooting education sector with creative initiatives, says group
    Education
    By Emmanuel Mogbede
    Abuja, June 10,2024(NAN)President Bola Tinubu is rebooting the country’s education sector with creative Initiatives that will introduce a fresh breath of air to the sector.
    This is contained in a statement issued by the Chairman of the Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG), Mr Emeka Nwankpa and Secretary, Mr Dapo Okubanjo in Abuja.
    The goup said Tinubu’s initiatives in the education sector could be likened to building blocks for a progressive and modern education system.
    “The education sector is one that the President Tinubu’s administration had since inception been quietly reviving for utmost efficiency in the last one year.
    “Even the perennial agitation of tertiary institution’s work force have been on the decline, resulting to peace on campuses, calls for strikes are also dying down,the group said.
    It attributed the development to Federal Government’s decision to remove universities and other tertiary institutions from the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) payment platform.
    It noted that the IPPIS since its introduction in 2006, had been a source of acrimony between university unions and various administrations.
    “But what may end up cementing Tinubu’s place in history in this sector, is the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELF) which started only a few days ago.
    “But has received well over 60,000 applications from students of Federal Government institutions,” it said.
    It explained that Tinubu had delayed the take off of the interest-free student loan scheme to ensure it also covered students who may be more interested in skills acquisition than university education
    It said the ultimate intention of the move was to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for Nigerian students and youths.
    The group added that the goal was to ensure that indigent students do not drop out of school due to financial constraints.
    “As for funding, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND, made its highest ever disbursement of N643.4bn to tertiary institutions since inception on President Tinubu’s watch.
    “With Colleges of Education getting a minimum of N1.3bn while individual polytechnics and universities received N1.6billion and N1.9billion respectively.
    “This quantum of funds improves teaching, research, and overall development of our tertiary institutions, staff beneficiaries are able to partake in conferences locally and internationally.
    “It is also used to fund the writing of textbooks and also cater for payments of honorarium to supervisors in education related programmes,” the group said.
    It added that the fund therefore, had a major impact on the development of tertiary institutions, staff, and students.
    It noted that the Tinubu administration was also looking at addressing issues of out-of-school children and the need to boost secondary education.
    The TSMG said like Tinubu, it considered the situation of out-of-school children unacceptable, noting that the president had approved system-wide policies to reduce the number of school-age children roaming the streets.
    It noted that Vice-President Kashim Shettima was recently in Bauchi where he launched a multi-year Accelerated Senior Secondary Education Programme (ASSEP).
    It said the programme was to pave the way for the overhaul school infrastructure and the facilitation of modernised curricula and an integrated virtual learning technology.
    “The initiative is a major policy drive to bridge the gaping educational divide in the country, with the North-East region as the starting point.
    “We also know that 10,000 teachers and educators have been trained in preparation for the establishment and launch of 37 smart schools, one in each state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),” it said.
    It added that a National Education Repository and Data Bank was also in the works for the purpose of collecting, collating, and warehousing all education records from 1932 through a dedicated website.
    It said there was already an approval from President Tinubu for a comprehensive national census of schools, teachers, and students in the country.
    This, the TSMG said, was to address the lack of co-ordinated data critical for effective educational sector planning.
    It expressed optimism that such data bank and census if in place, would go a long way to enhancing decision making and policy formulation.
    This, it added was especially because data collated would aid evidence based planning and help identify areas where improvement was required.(NAN)
    EEM/SH
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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • Immediate past administration neglected education sector, says  Yusuf

    Immediate past administration neglected education sector, says  Yusuf

     

    Education

    By Aminu Garko

    Kano, June 10,2024( NAN) Gov Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has accused the immediate past administration in Kano State of neglecting the education sector.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Yusuf spoke in Kano while declaring a State of Emergency in Education in Kano

    He alleged that the past administration sold some public schools and converted others to private shops.

    With the support of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), Gov. Yusuf has vowed to take bold and practical measures to revamp the education sector, recognizing that the quality of education shapes a society’s progress.

    He also expressed concern over the escalating problem of out-of-school children, with nearly a million youngsters currently denied access to educational opportunities.

    Gov. Yusuf said he is determined to restore the educational landscape, once a beacon of hope and a model to emulate, now overshadowed by neglect and decline.

    ”My administration is committed to making education a top priority and a lasting legacy for future generations.

    “Over 4.7 million pupils are forced to sit on bare floors to learn, while 400 schools have only one teacher for all classes and subjects,” he said.

    The governor said basic teaching tools were lacking, resources were inadequate, and teachers and students struggled with outdated equipment.

    “Teachers struggle with outdated and insufficient basic learning equipment, while clean water and sanitation are lacking in many schools,” he said.( NAN) ( www.nannews.ng)

    AAG/SH

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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • Dividends of democracy: Traditional ruler tasks Ondo Govt on rural engagement

    Dividends of democracy: Traditional ruler tasks Ondo Govt on rural engagement
    Dividends
    By Alaba Olusola Oke
    Idanre( Ondo State), June 10,2024( NAN) A traditional ruler, Oba Albert Omosebi , the Alajowa of Ajowa in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State has called for sustained engagement of rural populace  to ensure communities enjoy dividends of democracy.
    Oba Omosebi made the call on Sunday when the Community Engagement for Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa (CELA) kick-started its door-to-door movement across rural communities in the state.
    CELA is a  group working for the victory of Aiyedatiwa in the Nov. 16 gubernatorial election.
    The traditional ruler said that most governments  would abandon communities after getting  their support during electioneering and render such communities disappointed in times of needs.
    The traditional ruler , who commended the Aiyedatiwa-led government for its rural engagements, urged it to sustain it.
    Oba Omosebi  expressed satisfaction in the performance of  Aiyedatiwa within the short period and commended the beautiful initiative of prioritising the interest of the rural communities.
    In his remarks, the traditional leader of Ipoba Community, Chief Olofintuyi Rufus said it was the first time a governorship  aspirant would be interested in addressing the challenges facing the people of the community.
    Chief Rufus appreciated  the state governor,  adding: ”he has our support and we plead with him to come to heal our pains.”
    Earlier, the  Convener of the group, Mr  Iwakun Adeolu said that the group intends to engage dwellers of the rural communities and preach the Lucky Aiyedatiwa continuity agenda.
    “We erected this initiative to ensure the rural communities are not left behind in the governance of the state. We are here to ask the community what they lack and would want the government to do for them.
    “Doing this, we are elated to receive good remarks about the Lucky Aiyedatiwa led administration from our people.
    “The governor is a good listener and also understands the assignment of leading a progressive state like ours. We urge our people to also support the continuity of the Gov. Aiyedatiwa-led government: it is the best thing to do,” he said.
    The engagement is to run across the 18 local government areas of the state. ( NAN)
    OKEO/SH
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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • Troops foil kidnap attempt in Delta, rescue passengers

    Troops foil kidnap attempt in Delta, rescue passengers

    Rescue

    By Sumaila Ogbaje

    Abuja, June 10, 2024 (NAN) Troops of the Nigerian Army, successfully thwarted a kidnap attempt by suspected terrorist group on the  46 Km Ughelli-Patani Road in Delta on Sunday.

    A post on its official X Handle on Sunday, the Nigerian army said its troops’ swift response to a distress call resulted in the rescue of passengers who had been kidnapped while traveling in a commercial bus.

    It said the troops upon receiving the distress call, rapidly mobilised and confronted the terrorists, who were armed with assorted weapons.

    According to the post, a fierce firefight ensued, compelling the terrorists to abandon their captives and flee the scene.

    “The rescued passengers have been taken into safe custody, where they are receiving necessary care and support.

    “Meanwhile, the troops are currently pursuing the fleeing terrorists,” it said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    OYS/SH

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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • Stop ‘demonising’ governors over LG autonomy – Elderstateman begs Nigerians

    Stop ‘demonising ‘ governors over LG autonomy – Elderstateman begs Nigerians

     

    Autonomy

    By Stanley Nwanosike

    Enugu, June 10, 2024 (NAN) Elder statesman, Chief Nduka Eya, has urged Nigerians to stop ‘demonising governors’ over Local Government Area administrative and financial autonomy.

    Eya made the call while addressing newsmen in Enugu on Sunday on issues bordering ton he nation and its people.

    He said that the current negative perception of Nigerians looking at the governors as the problem rocking the council areas; which is not, as the problem stems from the military’s unitary system of rule as well as the constitution.

    ”I was once a permanent secretary to council areas in the old Anambra and I know how the council areas administration and financial system work,” he said.

    Eya, a former INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, said: “To be fair to the governors, especially present governors, the present conditions of council areas are not their making.

    “It started with the military unitary system of government which made council areas of no consequence and no value for decades.

    “The military stopped the smooth running of council areas and dissolved it whereas the regional government of the 1960s made active use of the council or municipal area authorities to drive development to the grassroots.

    “The constitution is not also helping matters. The constitution fully recognized and apportioned clear powers and responsibility to the Federal (Central); regional government (where available) and state components.

    “Nowhere did the constitution make clear cut power and responsibility for the council areas. This means that the constitution leaves room for the council areas to be used at the mercy of the state or federal governments.”

    NAN reports that former President Muhammadu Buhari had in May 2020 signed an Executive Order to grant financial autonomy to the judiciary, legislature, and local government councils.

    NAN reports that Buhari attributed the stunted development at the third tier of government to the governors’ questionable actions on LGA funds.

    Besides Buhari’s remarks, a former minister of Budget and National Planning, Clement Agba had said that the high poverty rate in the country was due to the governors’ inability to complement the efforts of the Federal government in its fight against poverty.

    On the upcoming secession plan of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Eya called on the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, to follow a laid-down process in its constitution to rotate its leadership as spelt out.

    He cautioned the present Ohanaeze leadership, led by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, to ensure a smooth transition of power to Rivers candidate, which is the state to produce the next Ohanaeze President-General.

    “It remains about six months to the end of the current leadership of Ohanaeze’s tenure. We urge the leadership to ensure a seamless and smooth handover following Ohanaeze’s laid-down constitution and not to plunge the respected body into any session of secession crisis,” he said.

    The elder statesman explained that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is made up of seven Igbo speaking states, namely: Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers States.

    He said that the leadership rotation turn is taken according to the alphabetic mentioning of the Igbo speaking states and now Imo State is currently occupying the President-General position.

    On the lingering controversies in the ongoing reconciliatory talks/moves by Ohanaeze and the North due to the 1966 military coup, Eya said that the move was real and those denying its reality are not telling the truth.

    Eya, a Commissioner for Education in the old Anambra State, said that for some years now, the move for true reconciliation between Ndi Igbo and the North had been in the open; adding that “it has been around for some time now”.

    “However, we are concerned on how leadership of Ohanaeze should concern itself and concentrate on settling the misunderstanding with Ndi Igbo internally in the Igbo speaking states as well as the ones within Ohanaeze as an organisation.

    “To me, I am not opposed to reconciliation and ways to build bridges and peace across the Niger with other parts of Nigeria; just as most of our leaders have continued to work towards,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    KSN/SH

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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

     

  • Minister hails Tinubu, NASS over national Anti-Doping Bill

    Minister hails Tinubu, NASS over national Anti-Doping Bill
    Commendation
    By Muhyideen Jimoh
    Abuja, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh has commended the National Assembly for the accelerated passage of the National Anti-Doping Bill.
    The minister in a statement on Sunday also acknowledged and saluted the vision of President Bola Tinubu for placing premium on the transmission of the bill to the National Assembly.
    “The transmission of the Anti-doping Bill 2024 to the National Assembly and the accelerated passage of same remains a landmark achievement of this administration.
    “It is a show of the courageous and bold leadership of the president, a final and appropriate response to the perennial issues of doping that have characterized Nigeria’s relationship with the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA), ” he said.
    The minister noted that the World Anti- Doping Agency (WADA) had threatened to ban Nigeria from international competitions because of Nigeria’s inability to domestic the national anti-doping law, amidst other non-compliant issues.
    “This administration was greeted with WADA issuing  a notice to ban Nigeria from International Competitions which degenerated to the point that the agency took Nigeria to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).
    “Amidst other non-compliant issues, the main challenge was Nigeria’s inability to domesticate the National Anti-doping Law  and setting up a National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) as part of its obligation having signed the international convention in 1999.
    “For years, the country has grappled with meeting up to the expectations of the World Anti-Doping Organization ,despite being a foundational signatory for 25 years,” Enoh said.
    He expressed optimism that with the passage of the bill, Nigeria will no longer have doubts about its participation in global sporting events and its eligibility to host sports competitions amongst other perennial issues.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the development is coming weeks before the country’s participation at the Paris Olympic Games.
    NAN reports that the bill, among other things, also seeks to establish the National Anti-Doping Centre to combat doping in sports, in compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code.The Code is a core document, that provides the framework for anti-doping policies, rules, and regulations within sports organisations and among public authorities. It is designed to harmonise anti-doping policies and ensure the standards are the same for all athletes.

    The executive bill which now makes it incumbent for Nigeria, to domesticate the treaty to tackle the ugly menace of doping amongst sportsmen and women, was read for the second time in May, and has scaled the third reading.

    President Tinubu had urged the Senate to review and approve the bill.

    He argued that it would prohibit athletes from using substances that enhance their performance.

    Tinubu’s request was conveyed in a letter read on the floor of the upper legislative chamber by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau.

    The president stated that the bill would establish a legal framework for the formation of the National Anti-Doping Organisation.

    He further emphasised that the establishment of the agency, was essential for Nigeria to meet the standards outlined in the World Anti-Doping Code. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    MUYI/SH
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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • Kebbi to transport female pilgrims to Mina Thursday

  • Experts urge NASS to expedite actions on CIAN bill

    Bill

    By EricJames Ochigbo

    Abuja, June 10, 2024 (NAN) Some experts in the auctioneering industry has urged the House of Representatives to expedite actions on the passage of the Chartered Institute of Auctioneers of Nigeria (CIAN) bill.

    In a statement jointly signed by the experts on Sunday in Abuja, they called on the House to step down the bill on Auctioneers Registration Council as it would be a duplication of already existing laws.

    This is according to the Chairman of Certified Institute of Auctioneers (CIAN) Mr Hillary Nwaukor, the Registrar of CIAN, Mr Adeleke Hassan and the President of United Auction House, Dr Jogunola Onabanjo.

    Nwaukor explained that the CIAN bill was initiated since 2013 during the 7th Assembly and had passed through Third Reading during the 8th and 9th Assemblies of both chambers at the National Assembly.

    He revealed that the CIAN bill had been re-gazetted in November 2023 for consideration at the Committee of the Whole in the green chambers.

    He, therefore, said that the introduction of Auctioneers Registration Council of Nigeria bill was not necessary.

    He emphasised that the CIAN bill has adequately addressed the training and certification of auctioneers and enjoyed overwhelming public support from other sister organisations such as National Association of Auctioneers among others.

    “We therefore observed with much curiosity as well the rationale behind the accelerated consideration being given to a bill that was introduced at the First Reading on, June, 5, and on June 6,  and was referred to the Committee of the Whole in the house.

    “It is in contradiction to extant legislative practices and conventions because at no given time was the Auctioneers Registration Council of Nigeria bill passed through Third Reading in the previous assemblies.

    “While we urge our esteemed legislators to ensure adherence to due process and legislative practice and conventions.

    “We wish to observe that the new Auctioneers Registration Council bill (HB 1508) will lead to a double licensing arrangement which makes auctioneers to be licensed at both the federal and state levels.

    “The CIAN bill is meant to promote professionalism, regulation and control of auctioneers body of skills and knowledge required for the profession,” he said.

    Nwaukor said that the institute in its efforts to develop and deepen the practice of auctioneers in Nigeria already collaborated with state governments and higher institutions in the training and certification of auctioneers across the country.

    He said that the institute was also aware that auction business in Nigeria is on the concurrent list of the Constitution.

    He stressed that many states in the country already had laws on licensing of auctioneers hence the introduction of Auctioneers Registration Council bill will amount to duplication and constitutional conflict.

    He, therefore, stated that the Auctioneers Registration Council bill if passed into law, will be killing the profession and stifling the development of the profession across the country. (NAN)

    EOO/MAM/IAA

    Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Isaac Aregbesola

  • Green Beret FC wins 1 Div. football for peace tournament

  • Eid-el-Kabir: Sen. Yari distributes 380 cows to 147 political wards

    Eid-el-Kabir: Sen. Yari distributes 380 cows to 147 political wards
    Cows
    By Ishaq Zaki
    Gusau, Jun. 9, 2024 (NAN) Sen. Abdul’aziz Yari (APC-Zamfara) has commenced the distribution of 380 cows to 147 political wards across the state for the Eid-el-Kabir festival.
    The Chairman, Sen. Yari’s Political Organization, Alhaji Lawal Liman, disclosed this in a statement issued in Gusau on Sunday.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yari represents Zamfara West Senatorial District in the Senate.
    According to Liman, the  distribution exercise was inaugurated in Kasuwar Daji ward of Ƙaura Namoda Local Government Area.
    Liman said the gesture was part of Yari’s annual assistance to the APC supporters and less-privileged families.
    “Each of the 147 political wards will receive two cows.
    “Other beneficiaries of the gesture include APC executives and other stakeholders of the party in each ward.
    “All the political wards under the Four Local Government Areas of Zamfara North senatorial district have received their allocations.
    “The remaining wards from the 10 local government areas in Zamfara Central and West Senatorial Districts will receive their allocations on Tuesday,” Liman explained.
    He commended Yari for his continuous assistance to the people and called on other political office holders to emulate such efforts. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    IZ/BRM
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    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani