Category: Study

A Chinese firm, Sailun Tyres, says it is working toward helping Nigeria to sustainably develop its economy through effective road transportation.

The Executive President of the company, Mr Xie Xiaohong, who led a 13-member delegation to Nigeria, disclosed this on Monday during an interactive session with some journalists in Lagos.

Already, he said the company had carried out an extensive research work on tyre uses in Nigeria, the peculiarity of the environment and the nature of the roads.

“We heard that the new President, Bola Tinubu, wants to reinforce the economy of the country.

“And we know that you can only achieve that with effective transportation and quality tyres developed for your road play a vital role in effective road transportation.

“We came to Nigeria to do some research on the tyre market for more trade and strengthen our partnership with Tanzanite Ltd.

He also hinted of plans to set up a tyre factory in future to serve the African market, adding that a research was being done in this area.

According to Xiaohong, Sailun develops tyres that are tropicalised and suitable for Nigerian roads, noting that China had a similar road condition in 2000 and its tyres were reinforced to serve the people for a long time.

The Xiaohong-led delegation met with their Nigerian partners, Tanzanite Ltd, represented by Mr Anil Sahgal, Managing Director, and some other business executives, to explore new avenues of collaboration and strategies for further growth and development.

The visiting executives of Sailun Tyres also engaged leaders of Tanzanite Ltd, a prominent distributor in Nigeria and Africa, in strategic discussions to identify opportunities for mutual growth and explore new ways to enhance customer satisfaction.

Xiaohong said the Sailun Tyres partnership with Tanzanite Ltd dates back to 15 years.

An earlier statement by Tanzanite said the visit by Sailun Tyres’ team came “at a time when the Nigerian automotive industry was experiencing significant turbulence resulting in movement towards value brands due to price pressure.

“Sailun Tyres aims to capitalise on this future market and solidify its position as a trusted tyre provider in Nigeria.”

It also said: “Sailun Tyres is renowned for its cutting-edge manufacturing processes, innovative technology, and commitment to delivering superior quality products.

“With a wide range of tyre solutions for passenger vehicles, commercial trucks, and off-road vehicles, Sailun Tyres has firmly established itself as a global leader in the tyre industry.

“As Sailun Tyres’ local partner, Tanzanite Ltd possesses an in-depth understanding of the Nigerian market, ensuring effective distribution channels and comprehensive customer support.”

The collaboration between the two industry giants is expected to foster the availability of high-performance tyre solutions that meet international standards, catering to the increasing demands of both individual drivers and commercial fleets across Nigeria.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunde-Bello,Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), said that the late Prof. Olayiwola Oso contributed to the largely progressive movement and healthy development of education in Nigeria.

Olatunji-Bello, represented by Prof. Adenike Boyo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), said this at a Day of Tributes organised for the late professor by the Faculty of Communications and Media Studies, LASU, in Lagos.

She said that he was a very great man who effortlessly demonstrated common sense in all his affairs, a respected Pan-Nigerian and formidable comrade of his immediate community.

Prof. Lai Oso

“We recognise Oso’s large heartedness and legacy. We also praise his generosity of spirit and magnanimous nature.

“During his lifetime, he contributed hugely as a member of Senate. He excelled as a past Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies.

“However, I consider him a fine Nigerian Philosopher of Education, an administrator, a friend, for all who welcomed him.

“He was an inspiration to a new generation of researchers, and above all, a brilliant man who selflessly gave his all to the service of the university,” Olatunji-Bello said.

She said that they were consoled by the fact that he lived a good life and touched as many lives as he could.

“We hope that his family and close friends will be consoled by the great memories he has left behind.

“Finally, on behalf of the university governing council and senate, I commiserate with the immediate family, particularly his amiable wife and children, staff, students and associates on the demise of a prominent member of LASU,” Olatunji-Bello said.

Prof. Sunday Alawode, Dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, described Oso as “the legend of our time, lifter of careers, teacher of teachers and professor of professors”.

Alawode said that he gave up himself in the service of humanity.

Prof. Rotimi Olatunji, former Dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, said that this was a collective loss but more importantly a personal loss to him and his family.

Olatunji said he was a big brother, friend, counselor, boss, prayers partner and most of all a mentor.

“We are proud of his legacies and we should sustain the good memories,” he said.

Mr Adeleye Ajayi, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos Chapter, said that Oso’s death was a colossal loss because he built many people positively.

Ajayi said that they had close relationship right from being his senior in secondary school and later as his lecturer.

“I know his legacy lives on,” he said.

Prof. Umaru Pate, President, Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN), said that the combined qualities endeared Oso to the younger generation of media and communication scholars .

Pate, also the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Kashere, Gombe, said that professionals constantly sought his support and mentorship.

“Oso held the firm conviction that the meeting of the gown and town will benefit mass communication and media fields for the maximum impacts of both professions on democracy and development.

“He pursued this conviction relentlessly and his death is a collective loss,”he said.

Some education and media institutions were also present to pay their tributes.

They include Channels Group, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Yaba College of Technology and Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the late Prof. Oso, born on Oct. 19, 1955, made his mark in the field of communication and media studies before his exit from the world in June.

He was a major pillar in Nigeria’s premier school of communication in LASU, now known as Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, and became a Professor of Mass Communication in 2011 at the university.

Oso died in a car accident that occurred on June 24, 2023 when he was returning from Delta State University, Abraka, where he had gone to examine some masters and PHD students.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Ms May Ikokwu, the Chief Executive Officer, Save Our Heritage Initiative (SOHI), has canvassed support for the education of women and girls for national development.

Ikokwu made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in commemoration of the World Population Day (WPD) in Abuja on Tuesday.

The 2023 World Population Day has the theme “Unleashing the Power of Gender Equality, Uplifting the Voices of Women and Girls to Unlock Our World’s Infinite Possibilities”.

The WPD, established by the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989, observed on July 11 every year, is to raise awareness of global population issues.

Ikokwu, therefore, said that enrollment of women and girls in school would go a long way in reducing child marriage, stressing that, “education is key to empowering women and girls and making them independent in terms of decisions and choices.

“Educate the woman and you educate the community is an axiom, let all of us support women education for a better Nigeria.”

She quoted the World Bank as indicating that 43 per cent of girls in Nigeria are married before their 18th birthday and 16 per cent are married before they reach 15 years.

She urged parents to enroll their daughters in school to strike gender parity and national development, and called for an end to discrimination against women.

Describing the small number of women in the 10th National Assembly as a demonstration of gender inequality, adding that, “it is highly unfair for women to occupy only three seats in Nigeria’s Senate out of 109 seats, and 14 seats in the House of Representatives out of 360 seats”.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

With the aim of creating mechanisms to increase bilateral relations in the cultural, economic and community sectors, the Vice-President of Angola, Esperança da Costa, and the Russian ambassador to Angola, Vladimir Tararov, met Monday in Luanda Province.

During the meeting, which was granted to the Russian diplomat by the Angolan Vice-President, the two personalities analysed issues relating to the Russia and Africa Summit, which is scheduled to take place this month in St Petersburg.

The Humanitarian Economic Forum, which will be attended by Heads of State and Government, will be preceded by a Humanitarian Economic Forum for business people to share their views.

The diplomat said that the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, which will take place within the framework of the second Russia-Africa Summit, is a unique event in relations with the African countries.

He noted that the Forum aims to diversify the ways and sectors related to Russian and African cooperation, as well as to set its long-term development.

To him, traditionally, the open discussions of the event’s business programme will address the most relevant topics on the Russian-African agenda. Given the wide range of areas that cover Russian-African cooperation beyond the economy, it was decided to add a significant humanitarian component to the 2023 Forum, adding that the event will also have a wide exhibition and a venue for business meetings.

He went on to stress that Angola could boost its economy in the mining and agricultural fields and revealed that his government is preparing a fertiliser factory to help Angolan farmers as part of the cooperation between the two countries.

The Russian ambassador to Angola told Esperança da Costa about the visits he made to the provinces of Huíla, Benguela, Namibe and Huambo and informed her also that a Russian company is already supplying seeds to suitable regions in Angola.

Regarding education, he said that the Russian government wants to build vocational education and training schools for young people to mitigate poverty and hunger.

Angola and the Russian Federation have been working to strengthen cooperation, highlighting the diversification of the strategic partnership in the political, diplomatic, defence, security, technological and business fields.

On the other hand, also on Monday, the Vice-President granted an audience to the Hungarian ambassador, Mr Zsolt Maris, to discuss bilateral cooperation between the two states.

Cooperation relations between Angola and Hungary were made official in 1997 with the signing of the Economic, Technical and Scientific Agreement. Subsequently, in 1977 and 1981, several agreements were signed in the sectors of agriculture, culture, trade and health.

In 2018, exchange agreements were also signed between the Institute of International Relations of Angola and the Institute of International Relations and Trade of Hungary and a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Angola and the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture, as well as the Agreement on Economic, Technical and Scientific Cooperation.

Finally, as part of the cooperation between the two states, an agreement on the visa waiver in diplomatic and service passports was signed in 2019.

Meanwhile, the two countries also have an Educational Exchange Programme between the Ministry of Higher Education of Angola and the Hungarian Ministry of Human Capacities

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has engaged the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to monitor its projects in tertiary institutions across the country.

The Executive Secretary, TETFund, Sonny Echono, while presenting a 30-seater bus to NANS in Abuja on Monday, said this is necessary to put contractors on check.

Echono said that the fund was also committed, through constant dialogue with NANS to meet students’ needs, noting that they are the centre of any policy of education.

”Education is about students and how to equip them with the right skills and knowledge to contribute to development.

”TETFund is consulting with them to find out their needs and with significant engagement, we want them to be our eyes in tertiary institutions.

”This is because when something is giving in our campuses, we should have multiple aid of getting the information we want.

” We want to identify in each campus a contact person to confirm whether our intervention is yielding fruit,” he said.

The executive secretary said that the fund also had a similar engagement with staff unions to help monitor projects on campuses with the aim of harvesting expectations.

He added that the fund would continue to work with students to improve on students accomodations through Public Private Partnership (PPP) and the private sector.

He said that the donation of the bus was to address transportation issues on campuses.

Responding, the National President of NANS, Usman Barambu, commended the fund for donating the bus following their request to President Bola Tinubu few weeks ago.

Barambu said that students don’t actually benefit directly from TETFund and so laid this particular complaint which had yielded results.

He assured the fund to put thorough check on TETFund projects on campuses while also ensuring contractors carry out their assigned contracts dutifully.

”TETFund has been helpful to higher education.

”When we tabled our request with the president, we said to him that over 90 per cent of projects executed in tertiary institutions is done be TETFund.

”We will ensure we do our best to monitor the contractors in our campuses for proper monitoring of projects

”There should also be a disciplinary measure put in place to sanction contractors that deviate in what they are supposed to do,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Registrar, Chartered Institute of Treasury Management (CITM), Mr Olumide Adedoyin, has called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) to compel universities to engage professional in developing curriculum in treasury management

Adedoyin said in a statement on Monday in Abuja that the conventional curriculum, though invaluable, often neglects the nuances of treasury management.

He said of all the universities running Treasury Management Courses at masters level only Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) had been able to get it right.

He said institutions like Bayero University, Kano, Nasarawa State University, University of Maiduguri and University of Abuja had not been able to get the curriculum in standardising to meet global bench mark.

According to him, NUC should compel universities offering courses in Treasury Management to look beyond their current curriculum that only contains elements of finance and accounting.

This he said should include collaboration with the institute who would help develop such curriculum as the case with ABU, Zaria.

He said by integrating treasury management into the masters curriculum, it would empower students to shine in a competitive global economy.

According to him, treasury management possesses a unique allure that sets it apart from accounting and finance, while accounting and finance focus on tracking and analysing financial data, treasury management delved deeper.

This he said was by aiming to optimise the organisation’s financial resources, mitigate risks, and maximise profitability.

He said such omission could leave aspiring professionals ill-equipped to tackle the challenges that lied ahead, adding that recognising such disparity, the institute could provide expertise to help the nation’s institutions.

According to him, with a deep-rooted commitment to excellence, CITM offers a transformative pathway to harness the full potential of treasury management in our nation’s institutions

Adedoyin said the institute would be willing to partner with NUC to bridge the gap between theory and practice by equipping individuals with specialised skills and knowledge required in treasury management.

This according to him will help to navigate the complex world of financial management with finesse in an era where financial landscapes evolve at breakneck speed, collaboration, and continuous learning are paramount.

The registrar said it would further help to gain access to cutting-edge materials, world-best practices, and the professional touch that the institute would bring.

He said by doing such, it would pave the way for a new generation of financial professionals, armed with a comprehensive understanding of treasury management principles.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Country Representative of UNFPA, Ms Ulla Muller, has stressed the importance of education in releasing the potential of women and children.

She made this known at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) forum in Abuja on Sunday.

She said, “education is crucial in releasing the potential of women and children, and as such, we must ensure that every girl has access to quality education that equips her with knowledge and skills.

“Quality education will also enable girls to have confidence to pursue their ambitions.

“The elimination of gender disparity in education will also create infinite opportunities for future generations and transform societies. When women have equal access to education, they are better able to enhance their own lives and contribute to the growth of their communities.

“Achieving gender equality is not only essential for its social and economic benefits, but also because it is the right thing to do.

“Our women and girls should be able to exist in a world where their opinions and decisions are valued and welcomed, and their voices heard’’.

The country representative, who called for women empowerment, added that when women are financially independent, they can provide for themselves and their families, thereby reducing poverty in the society.

Mueller stressed the need for stakeholders to uplift and ensure space for the voices of women and girls in decision-making processes, leadership roles, and political arena.

“When women’s voices are heard and their experiences are valued, a more equitable and just society is created for all.

“To uplift the voices of women and girls, we have to change the narrative; instead of seeing them as oppressed victims, they should be seen as powerful and critical citizens with a wealth of contributions to the society.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Mr Thomas Stelzer, Dean, International Anti-Corruption Academy, (IACA), Vienna, Austria, has faulted the measuring tool used by Transparency International (TI) in its Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).

This is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by Mrs Azuka Ogugua, spokesperson of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).

According to Ogugua, Stelzer made the observation when he visited the ICPC headquarters as part of activities of his working visit to Nigeria.

He noted that the TI measuring tool, had lots of gaps that needed to be bridged, adding that governments were doing so much but do not get credit.

Stelzer, who is IACA’s Executive Secretary of Assembly of Parties, stated that TI’s CPI puts governments in difficult positions because no matter how hard governments of nations work, they were exposed and reduced to the perceptions of constituents.

He said as a way out, the IACA was working on measuring corruption as part of its research work by putting together all the expertise, bringing on board everybody who had something to contribute to the project in order to see the right methodology to adopt for better results.

“We are totally imperative, we are transparent, and we want everyone to participate from the beginning so that we can hold everybody accountable in implementing later what we might have agreed on.

“And we would also like your Academy to contribute,” he said.

The IACA dean also explained that International Anti-Corruption Academy was the only intergovernmental, international organisation that concentrates on the holistic fight against corruption.

He also said that it was the only organisation that enjoys the status of an institution of higher learning, authorised to offer academic degrees, offering technical assistance and capacity building to practitioners to facilitate implementation of the provisions of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).

In his remarks, the ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN, gave a brief background of the Commission vis-à-vis her statutory mandate.

Owasanoye explained that though ICPC was set up in year 2000, a few years before UNCAC, it commendably reflects UNCAC’s principles and focus which could be seen in the commission’s tripartite mandate.

He gave a rundown of the three-pronged mandate of enforcement, prevention and enlightenment.

He added that though not easily measurable, ICPC made a lot of progress under its preventive mandate, which wass not measured nor captured by the CPI.

He added that though the efforts contributed massively to the fight against corruption.

He listed some other specific projects ICPC engaged in to include being the secretariat for inter-agency committee on stopping Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) in Nigeria.

He explained that in that capacity, the commission organises capacity building on slippery areas such as tax evasion, transfer pricing, trade mis-invoicing for organisations connected to IFFs.

“Issuance of advisories to government on dumping the use of confidentiality clauses in extractive industry and eradication of the use of tax waivers for multinational companies.

Other activities according to him included designing guidelines for the private sector to recognise vulnerabilities to IFFs in their operations.

“Being central in propagating the Common African Position on Assets Recovery (CAPAR) by collaborating with the High-Level Panel chaired by former South African President, Thabo Mbeki; training of the media on using perception tools among other activities.”

The Chairman also revealed that ICPC through its training arm, ACAN, has begun conducting surveys of experiences with corruption, in order to know how to adjust and deal with issues instead of relying solely on the annual report by TI.

“We would love to be able to partner with IACA to become a regional hub for some of our activities and those of IACA to exchange staff once we agree on the parameters.

“And to test the waters by having some activities at the regional level jointly with funding from partners to build capacity within anti-corruption agencies and in the broader context among stakeholders and public sector players towards diminishing corruption,” Owasanoye said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The AIDS HealthCare Foundation (AHF), an international NGO, has tasked the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) on access to age-approporiate Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and health interventions through digital empowerment for youths.

AHF gave the task on Friday during a visit to the NCC Digital Economy Department in Abuja in commemoration of the 2023 International Day of the African Child (IDAC), with a theme: “Switched Up CSE Access through digital empowerment’’.

Dr Echey Ijezie, the Country Programme Director, AHF Nigeria, said the visit was to look at how the eight pillars of the National Digital Economy Policy (NDEP) would address the challenges of young people in supporting a digital environment that is sensitive to age appropriate comprehensive sexuality education.

“Youths are empowered with the appropriate knowledge, skills of assertiveness and understanding for them to feel the perils and all issues that they might arise as they grow older in the society.

“Comprehensive sexuality education is important as long as it is age appropriate and comprehensive to empower the youths and make them understand what the facts are and live fulfilled lives that is risk free.

“This is the main advocacy and we are looking at different platforms to disseminate these informations that it will form parts of conversation, education for the youths to be enlightened.

“Many of them need to be informed about some of these things that they hear, see and because they have access to different devices and sources of information, so it is important to educate them so make informed decisions.

“If information is hidden from the youths and they find it from other means, which may be wrong. So we are trying to make sure that the information given to them is appropriate, correct and useful,’’ he said.

Mr Steve Aborisade, the Advocacy and Marketing Manager, AHF Nigeria, highlighted the need to equip youths with appropriate knowledge to make informed decisions about their reproductive and health rights.

He said: “AHF emphasises the importance of equipping them with knowledge and skills to navigate online actions safely, understand their rights and make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

“We call on African communities to support age-appropriate CSE, empowering young individuals to make informed choices and contribute to national development.

“Comprehensive sexuality education covers critical areas including abstinence, gender equality, human rights, gender based violence, sexual reproductive health, ensuring young people have the knowledge to protect themselves and their wellbeing,” he said.

Aborisade said the NDEP provide a platform for the commission to support the wellbeing of young people which allow unfettered access to age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education.

He noted that despite the global and national technology shifts, Nigeria does not have a national data on the state of digital literacy, which has implications for education, empowerment and health information, among others.

He therefore called for the development of a national curriculum and programmes for digital literacy skills, youths friendly digital health intervention, and emergency communication centres, youth friendly toll-free health line to improve access to age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education.

Responding, MS Olatokunboh Oyeleye, the Head of Digital Economy Department, NCC, urged the organisation and other stakeholders to contribute towards incorporating the required digital training in the curriculum for the different levels of education.

“We focus on online safety aspect of it and if you go through the website, you will see a lot that speaks on online safety for children.

“We want to collaborate and contribute to our sector and you should also bear in mind that when it comes to collaboration, we are a regulator.

“Look at your collaboration and how specifically does it impact on the industry and what role do you expect regulators to play that we are not playing and how do you want us to play more in those areas,” she said.

Similarly, Mr Hamisu Yahaya, an official of the NCC, assured the AHF that they would consider their suggestions and articulate it to the management for consideration.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that students from Victory of God International Academy, Apo, and Chinakwe Internationl School, Dakibiyu, Jabi, featured at the IDAC event.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The National Universities Commission (NUC), has called on African universities to recognise the value of forging partnerships with institutions worldwide to provide students with skills needed for employment.

The Acting Executive Secretary, NUC, Mr Chris Maiyaki, gave the advice at the 3rd Annual Conference of the Forum for Innovation in African Universities (FIAU) in Abuja on Friday.

The conference has the theme: “Strengthening Africa’s Higher Education in a Post COVID-19 world.”

Maiyaki said that embracing international collaborations would enable universities to tap into a wealth of expertise, resources, and opportunities for their students and faculties.

While noting that there is a challenge of resource constraint faced by universities across Africa, he said that to address the situation, the institutions require strategic partnerships.

“Collaboration with governments, private sector entities, philanthropic organisations, and international development agencies is crucial in pooling resources, sharing expertise, and creating sustainable funding models,” he said.

He added that the commission had championed the development of guidelines for the implementation of Transnational Education (TNE) in Nigeria for the purpose of partnering with other institutions abroad.

“TNE presents a wide range of opportunities such as increasing access to higher education for our youth and promoting strategic alliances between countries and regions.

“These partnerships must, however, be built on mutual respect, shared objectives, and a commitment to nurturing talent and promoting global citizenship,” he said.

Maiyaki stressed the need to integrate technology into the delivery of university education to ensure its resilience in a Post-COVID-19 world.

He said this would help in harnessing the power of innovation and also make the institutions to foster sustainable university-industry partnerships that transcend traditional boundaries.

“These partnerships will allow us to align our curricula with the evolving needs of the job market, creating graduates who are not only well-versed in theory but also possess the practical skills demanded by employers.

“Furthermore, collaboration with industries will enable our universities to conduct impactful research that addresses real-world challenges that continue to impact mankind, so as to secure tangible socio-economic development,” he added.

He called on university academia to ensure collective responsibility to address the challenges before it and forge a path towards a stronger and more resilient future for higher education in Africa.

He said to ensure that graduates of the continent are fully equipped with the required skills and knowledge to succeed in the 21st Century, there is a need to constantly strive to improve and update educational programmes in consonance with the realities of global best practices.

He said that higher education must shift to offer every student opportunities for the continuous refinement of the skills needed for employment in a competitive world.

“One of such innovative steps is taken recently by the NUC as part of its efforts to reposition the Nigerian University System for excellence and global competitiveness.

” This initiative was the launch of the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) for the 17 disciplines in the Nigerian University System, with emphasis on the acquisition of 21st Century employability and entrepreneurial skills.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr David Adejo, said there was a great prospect for African universities to make progress in the Post-COVID-19 era.

Adejo said that Africa is fortunate because predictions about the severity of the pandemic in the continent did come true.

He, however, said the continent had not been able to properly deal with the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic, saying forum for Innovation in African Universities (FIAU), in 2019 was a direct response to the adverse effects of the pandemic on the educational sector in Africa.

He commended FIAU for encouraging knowledge exchange and working closely with regional and global partners to pool resources to support African universities, adding that it is what the continent needs to enable it overcome its challenges.

Meanwhile, the FIAU co-Founder, Prof. Pascal Anosike, in a remark, said that African universities had made remarkable progress in the areas of curriculum review and private sector investment, but more still needed to be done in widening access and improving employability rate.

Anosike called for the use of modern technology to support students’ learning, adding that his organisation would strengthen the capacity of African universities to tackle these challenges.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCCG), says theological education is very vital in correcting heresies and wrong doctrines in the society.

Adeboye said this on Tuesday during the inauguration of new administrative building and chapel of RCCG Bible College main campus, Redemption Camp, Mowe, Ogun.

Represented by Pastor Joseph Obayemi, National Overseer Emeritus, RCCG, Adeboye said theological education was necessary to guild and train up and coming pastors against wrong doctrine.

“Theological education, such as ours is very vital to our society, especially in this end time when there is a lot of heresies and wrong doctrines in our society.

“This happens when the up and coming pastors, who have no mentor will just climb the pulpit and say so many wrong things.

“And because of the charisma and youthful exuberance, many will continue to follow them, but school like this can be used to guild them.

“If they come for the training, we will teach them that there is difference between being charismatic, anointed by God or being matured spiritually.

“Theological education open our eyes to see more rudiments of Christianity and not just anybody going to the pulpit to preach.

“So, theological education is very necessary for our time and it will continue to be useful, even in the nearest future, ” he said.

Adeboye also said that the new administrative building of the college was a reflection of the glory of God.

In his remarks, Pastor Ezekiel Odeyemi, RCCG Continental Overseer, said the Bible college was an integral part of the church.

Odeyemi said the college was crucial to the progress of the church and to maintain the integrity of the doctrine of the gospel.

“The Bible college is an integral part of RCCG.

“An expanding organisation like redeemed, required trained hands and so the college is crucial to our progress and to maintain the integrity of the doctrine and the gospel.

“And that is the reason occasion like this makes us happy and show to us that the college is making progress and the people put in charge not disappointing us, ” he said.

Also, Pastor Babatunde Adedibu, the provost of the college, said the motivation behind the new building was the resolution of the board of governors to reposition the college to an affiliate of two recognised universities in Nigeria by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Adedibu, who noted that the construction of the building started on Oct. 19, 2017, said it was conceived to serve the immediate and future need of the college.

He thanked the General Overseer and his wife for their financial, moral and spiritual support. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigerian Navy has described the report of an alleged absurdity in Admiralty University of Nigeria (ADUN), Ibusa, Delta, as misleading and the handiwork of mischief-makers.

Naval spokesman, Commodore Ayo Vaughan, who debunked the report in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, faulted most of the issues raised in the report.

According to him, the said report revealed the ignorance and unethical tendency of the writer, his sponsors and unpatriotic collaborators.

The director of information, who cleared the air over the ownership status of ADUN, said that Nigeria Navy (NN) bought the interests of Hellenic Education Nigeria Limited (HENL) to convert it to a Public University similar to NDA, and Nigerian Army University.

He, therefore, described as malicious and baseless, allegations claiming that all was not well with the institution, hence the Secretary to the Government of the Federation should cause President Bola Tinubu to intervene and appoint Principal/Management Officers the university.

Vaughan said what the university was in need of was a speedy completion of the processes of its takeover by the Federal Ministry of Education and change of status by NUC.

He the university also needed the constitution of its Governing Council in accordance with Section 9 of the ADUN Establishment Act 2022, not the kind of arbitrary interventions canvassed by the writer.

He explained that ADUN was established in 2017 as a Public Private Partnership between the NN (represented by Navy Holdings Limited (NHL)) and Hellenic Education Nigeria Limited (HENL).

He said that it was issued a provisional licence as a private university by National Universities Commission (NUC) on Dec. 19, 2017, and commenced academic activities in January 2019.

“Due to irreconcilable differences between the partners, the NHL decided, in the national and public interest, to buy off the interest of HENL and convert it to a public university.

”By mutual consent, NHL and HENL dissolved the partnership on March 21, 2022, and in December 2022, the National Assembly passed a bill to convert the university to a conventional public university.

”This bill was assented to by former President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR on Feb. 8, as the Admiralty University of Nigeria, Ibusa (Establishment) Act 2022.

“The change of status of a university from private to public is not an event but a process involving key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

”In furtherance of this process, NHL has caused multiple high-level engagements between the NN and both the Federal Ministries of Education and Defence as well as the NUC.”

He explained that the Federal Ministry of Education had commenced the process of conversion, but to date it is yet to take the university on strength and the NUC is yet to change its status as a federal public university.

“In the meantime, and in deference to Section 38 of the ADUN Establishment Act 2022, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) constituted the Transitional Governing Council (TGC) to govern the University before the coming into force of the Act.

“The NN through the NHL is resourcing the university and with the instrumentality of the council, management and leadership has nurtured the university to stability.

“On March 23, the incumbent Vice Chancellor, Prof. Paul Omojo Omaji, applied for a renewal of his appointment for a further period of five years in accordance with his contract.

”This was in anticipation of the expiration of his tenure on June 30, The TGC on April 14, considered this request for contract renewal but turned it down in view of the transition of the university.

”However, the TGC in its wisdom was unwilling to leave a leadership vacuum in the university.”

According to him, it therefore, in the overall interest of the university, approved a six-month extension of contract during which time the NHL is to intensify efforts to effect the change of status of the university so that necessary actions and due processes can be taken to appoint a substantive Vice Chancellor.

” This approval was endorsed by the CNS who is the de-facto Proprietor on June 9 and re-affirmed by the TGC on June 14.

“The university is currently in a delicate period of transition being midwived by the NN through the NHL.

”This is akin to the transitions of erstwhile military tertiary institutions such as the Nigerian Defence Academy, Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna and Nigerian Army University, Biu.

“It is absurd that the writer would refer uncharitably to the former president as ‘not to have given a hoot’ to governance and then advised his successor to arbitrarily intervene in a budding tertiary institution against the spirit and letters of its establishment law.”

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Siyan Oyeweso, a professor of History and International Studies at Osun State University, says strengthening of existing universities will greatly enhance their sustainability.

Oyeweso stated this during the Interdisciplinary Research Discourse organised by the Postgraduate College of University of Ibadan (UI) on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the discourse, which was the college’s 80th, was titled: “Interrogating Issues in the Proliferation of Universities in Nigeria.”

Oyeweso in his submission said a committee of relevant stakeholders should be constituted to take a look at the already established universities now and to map the way forward.

He said Nigeria needed university which had a definitive academic calendar and sustainable funding.

“For any good university to be established, it must have a maturation period. It must grow under the already established good university.

“The law establishing Lagos State University (LASU) was passed in 1983 but the process started way back, from 1979 to 1981, and it did not commence academic activities until October 1984 and it was midwifed by the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

“University of Ibadan (UI) midwifed University of Ife, and what we now refer to as the University of Ilorin was midwifed also by the University of Ibadan.

”Also, the University of Jos was a campus of the University of Ibadan and the University of Calabar was a campus of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN),” the professor said.

He argued that there must be in place models, templates and financial sustainability programmes.

“In the case of Osun State University, there was the contract that we had with staff that we will have a moratorium of five years, that we will not be on any strike because we want to have a sustainable academic calendar.

“And we adopted Sept. 21 of every year as the Foundation Day. If you enter the Osun State University today we will give the date of your graduation and we have kept that faith and maintained that tradition till date,” Oyeweso said.

He urged the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of first generation universities to map out alternative sources of funding.

Oyeweso also cautioned government against granting licences for universities which would not survive.

Speaking on private universities, he said other private universities should copy the template of those that had been excelling and focus on solving societal challenges in order to be relevant.

“They should follow those private universities that are excelling in ranking and ground-breaking research,” Oyeweso said.

In his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, said a nation could not grow beyond the state of its university system.

Adebowale who traced the history of the establishment of the first generation of universities in Nigeria said they were established based on research and the country’s needs at that time.

He noted that while there were 270 universities in Nigeria, it was alarming that this proliferation had not addressed critical factors that could solve the challenges of the nation.

”This is because their establishment was not sustainable, but merely political.

“The universities that are being set up now, I don’t know whether they were research-based or politically-motivated,” Adebowale said.

The vice-chancellor however commended the UI Postgraduate College for the Interdisciplinary Research Discourse.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Angola minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, Diamantino de Azevedo, has said the country counts on Norway’s experience to develop its fertilizer and aluminum industry.

The minister, who was speaking Wednesday in Oslo, Norway, said everything would be done to strengthen Angola’s cooperation with this European country to provide academic training for young Angolans on fertilizer and aluminum production techniques.

The Angolan minister and his team are since June 26 in Norway, having met with several Norwegian authorities, namely, the minister of Petroleum and Energy, the secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and officials of the Equinor and Norsk Hydro.

On Wednesday, the Angolan delegation travelled to Trondheim city to attend at the Research and Development Centre of oil company Equinor, a series of presentations such as: Introduction to Technology, Digital and Innovation, the innovation-oriented training provided by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

As part of efforts to promote stability in areas affected by insurgency, the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has donated educational facilities and boreholes to Toumour community in Diffa Region, Niger Republic.

The Chief of Military Public Information for MNJTF, Lt.-Col. Abubakar Abdullahi, made this known in a statement on Thursday in N’Djamena Chad.

Abdullahi said the facilities, which comprise a block of three classrooms, a staff office and four boreholes, was handed over by the Force Commander, Maj.-Gen. Gold Chibuisi, who was represented by the Chief of Administration, Col. Bamouss Ngarsara.

He said the project was facilitated by the European Union through the COGINTA Non Governmental Organisation.

According to him, the projects are part of the MNJTF’s Civil-Military Activities (CIMIC) meant to strengthen the relationship between the military and civilian population in the region recovering from Boko Haram crisis.

“It symbolises the commitment of the MNJTF and its partners to promoting peace, stability, and development in the areas affected by Boko Haram.

“The MNJTF is working closely with other stakeholders to restore normalcy in the region and provide the necessary support for the humanitarian and development needs of the affected communities.”

The MNJTF commander expressed gratitude to the people of Toumour for their warm reception and contribution to the return of peace and security in their communities.

He said that education was a tool for transforming communities and building lasting peace and commended COGINTA and the EU for their efforts in the region.

The Governor of Diffa region, Smaïne Younouss represented by his Secretary General, Barde Dauda, lauded the MNJTF for working tirelessly to restore peace and security in communities affected by Boko Haram.

He expressed the commitment of the local authorities to work more closely with the MNJTF and other development partners in promoting socio-economic development in the region.

Younous said the facilities would provide enabling environment for the education of children and young people in the locality while the boreholes will help to alleviate the water shortage in the area and improve the living conditions of the people.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria