EDUCATION: [UNIVERSITIES, SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, ETC]

Nigeria: Over 70 Percent Fail November/December WAEC Exams By Nurudeen Oyewole, 20 December 2013 Lagos — Over 70 percent of private candidates who participated in the November/December 2013 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) failed to obtain five credits including English Language and Mathematics. Giving a breakdown of the results at a news conference in Lagos yesterday, Head of WAEC's National Office in Nigeria, Charles Eguridu, said though 296, 827 candidates sat for the examination, 299,784 of them representing 97.26 percent of the total number who wrote the examinations had their results fully processed and although 161, 721 candidates representing 54.48 percent obtained five credits and above, when narrowed down to those who have five credits and above including Mathematics and English Language which are key subjects, it was discovered that only 86,612 candidates, representing 29.17 percent actually passed the examinations while 70.83 percent failed. "A total of 86,612 candidates representing 29.17 percent obtained credits in 5 subjects and above including English Language and Mathematics. Based on this, when compared to the November/ December 2011 and 2012 WASSCE (private) there is a marked decline in candidates' performance," Eguridu said. Compared with the two previous exams, the result showed that there is a drastic fall in the performance of candidates. 139, 827 candidates representing 36.07 percent of those who sat for the same examination in 2011 got five credits including Mathematics and English Language while 150,615 candidates representing 37.97 percent who sat for the 2012 exams scored five credits including Mathematics and English Language. In other words, there is seven percent decline in the 2013 result when compared to 2011 and about nine percent decline when compared to the 2012 result. Eguridu said the mandate of the examination body does not extend to what could be responsible for failure in its examinations but to serve as a public assessor. However in a post-briefing interview, the WAEC boss cited factors such as under funding of the education sector, lack of qualitative teaching, parents' nonchalant attitude towards monitoring their children's performance as well as the emergence of ICT as probable factors that could have brought about decline. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nigeria: WAEC Releases Nov/Dec 2013 Exams Results By Sani Tukur, 19 December 2013 Writing on blackboard. The West African Examination Council, WAEC, has released the results of the Nov/Dec. 2013 examination results, stating that there was a marked decline in candidate's performance compared to the examinations held in the past two years. Announcing the results at a press conference at WAEC's head office in Lagos on Thursday, the head of the body's Nigeria National office, Charles Eguridu, stated that a total of 308,217 candidates registered for the examination, out of which 299,784candidates, consisting of 163,706 male and 133,202 female candidates sat the examination. He also said out of the total number of candidates, 298,971 candidates, representing 97.26 per cent have their results fully released, while 8,433 candidates, representing 2.74 per cent have a few of their subjects still being processed. He said the errors were mainly traceable to the candidates and cyber cafes in the course of registration or writing the examination. Such errors, he said, are being corrected by the Council to enable the affected candidates get their results. Mr. Eguridu said, 120,115 candidates, representing 40.46 per cent, obtained 6 credits and above; while, 161,721 candidates representing 54.48 per cent obtained 5 credits and above. He also said 198,832 candidates, representing 66.98 per cent obtained credits and above in 4 subjects, while 230,325 candidates, representing 77.59 per cent obtained credits and above in 3 subjects. A total of 256,500 candidates, he said representing 86.41% obtained credits and above in 2 subjects. Also, the WAEC Nigeria top official added that a total of 86,612 candidates, representing, 29.17 per cent obtained credits in 5 subjects and above including English Language and Mathematics. He however said, when compared to the November/December 2011 and 2012 WASSCE (Private), "there is a marked decline in candidates' performance". Mr. Eguridu said a total number of 38,260 candidates' results, representing 12.88 per cent, are being withheld in connection with various cases of examination malpractice. "Such cases are being investigated and the reports of the investigations will be presented to the Nigerian Examinations Committee (NEC) of Council in due course for consideration. The Committee's decisions will be communicated to the affected candidates through their schools," he said. He said 82 blind candidates registered and sat for the examination, out of which 17 candidates, representing 20.73 per cent obtained credits in 5 subjects including English Language. He noted that blind candidates do not take Mathematics and Science practicals in the WASSCE. Mr. Eguridu also stated that candidates who sat for the Nov/Dec 2013 WASSCE will be able to check the details of their performance on the Council's results website:www.waecdirect.org within the next 48 hours. To deploy cutting edge technology Meanwhile, Mr. Eguridu announced that beginning with the May/June 2014 WASSCE; the Council is deploying cutting-edge technology in the conduct of its examinations, by using contactless Radio Frequency Identification- RFID, Smart Card, for "easy and accurate identification, automated attendance register, instant malpractice reporting and effective post examination management". He said WAEC has continued the quest of improving its service delivery systems, particularly through the deployment of Information and Communication Technology. "The Council, as of today, has fully migrated from paper-based registration to electronic registration of candidates for its examinations in addition to the online checking of results and the embossment of passport photographs of candidates on their certificates," he said. He also said the Council has deployed biometric technology in the registration of candidates for the November/December 2013 WASSCE. The data captured during registration, he said, formed the basis for the identification of candidates and the taking of attendance during the examination. "Reports from the field indicated a drastic reduction in impersonation by candidates during the conduct of the November/December 2013 WASSCE, largely due, we believe, to the deployment of the biometric technology in the registration for the examination," he said. Mr. Eguridu also said, in view of the Council's zero-tolerance for examination malpractice and the increased use of mobile handsets by candidates during examinations, the Council has made it mandatory for all schools to provide serviceable metal detectors which would be used to prevent candidates from smuggling mobile handsets into examination halls. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Africa: Nelson Mandela, Former South African President, Is Dead By Ben Ezeamalu and Ini Ekott, 5 December 2013 More on This Nelson Mandela Dies 'Peacefully' Nelson Mandela. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the beloved South African anti-apartheid icon, who fought against racial discrimination and white minority rule for decades, and was imprisoned for 27 years before becoming the country's first black president, died Thursday at the age of 95, the government announced. Mr. Mandela died at 8:50 pm local time, December 5, 2013, South African President Jacob Zuma said in televised nation-wide speech announcing the former president's death Thursday night. "He is now resting," Mr. Zuma said. "He is now at peace." He added: "Our nation as lost his greatest son. Our people have lost their father. His humility, his compassion and his humanity earned him our love." Mr Zuma called Mr. Mandela's death "the moment of our greatest sorrow." He said a state funeral will be held. Mr Mandela died after a prolonged battle with lung infection. The former president was hospitalised on June 8 with a recurring lung ailment he developed while serving his jail term at the notorious Robben Island jail. The South African presidency repeatedly said he was stable, although his condition was serious. By June 23, the government said his condition had become critical. His prolonged stay in the hospital lingered pressed South Africans, and indeed the world, against the reality that the leader- referred to as the father of the South African nation- was gradually approaching his end, prompting an over pouring of attention for weeks, with global media converged around the Pretoria's private hospital where he received care. At the time, one senior Archbishop prayed for his "peaceful end". Mr. Mandela was eventually discharged from hospital in September and transported to his home in Houghton where he continued to be under intensive care. The clearest sign the icon's condition was irreversibly critical came on December 3, when his daughter, Makaziwe Mandela, said the former president was "strong" and "courageous", although he remained sick on what she called "his death bed". Mr. Mandela's grandson, Ndaba Mandela, said his grandfather was "not doing well", although, "he is still with us". Birth Nelson Mandela was born on 18 July 1918. A Xhosa, born to the Thembu royal family, he attended Fort Hare University and the University of Witwatersrand, where he studied law. While he lived in Johannesburg, he became involved in anti-colonial politics, and joined the African National Congress where he helped found the party's Youth League. Mr. Mandela, known by his tribe name as Madiba, rose to prominence in the ANC's 1952 Defiance Campaign after the Afrikaner nationalists of the National Party came to power in 1948 and began implementing the policy of apartheid-the segregation between blacks and whites. He was later elected president of the Transvaal ANC Branch while he worked as a lawyer. Soon, Madiba's often confrontational philosophy of resisting the apartheid regime, landed him in trouble. He was repeatedly arrested and was prosecuted for treason from 1956 to 1961 but was exonerated. Mr. Mandela drew inspiration from Karl Max to Fidel Castro and befriended several leftists as he rallied support to dismantle apartheid, leading his right-wing critics to denounce him as a terrorist and communist sympathizer. Late prime minister of Britain, Margaret Thatcher, was one of those who called him a terrorist. Although initially committed to non-violent protest, in association with the South African Communist Party he co-founded the militant Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) in 1961, leading a bombing campaign against government targets. In 1962 he was arrested, convicted of sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the government, and sentenced to life imprisonment in the Rivonia Trial. He served 27 years in prison, first on Robben Island, and later in Pollsmoor Prison and Victor Verster Prison amid an international campaign that lobbied for his release. Mr. Mandela was released in 1990. Becoming ANC president, Mandela published his autobiography and led negotiations with President F.W. de Klerk to abolish apartheid and establish multi-racial elections in 1994, in which he led the ANC to victory. He was elected president and formed a government of National Unity. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid through tackling institutionalized racism, poverty and inequality, and fostering racial reconciliation. Politically, an African nationalist and democratic, he served as the president of the African National Congress, ANC, from 1991 to 1997. Internationally, Mr. Mandela was the Secretary General of the Non-Aligned Movement from 1998 to 1999. After becoming president, Mr. Mandela drew international affection with his insistence on reconciliation, eschewing vengeance against those who punished him and preaching peace and unity. He established a new constitution and initiated the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate past human rights abuses, while introducing policies to encourage land reform, combat poverty and expand healthcare services. He also gained respect and admiration after refusing to run for a second term in a continent where "sitting tight" is common with leaders. He was succeeded by his deputy Thabo Mbeki. Mr. Mandela won the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize, the US Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Soviet Order of Lenin. After years on charity and AIDS work, Mr. Mandela announced retirement that he was "retiring from retirement" in June 2004 at age 85 as his lungs trouble began to set in. While he gradually withdrew from the public, Mr. Mandela retained some involvement in international affairs and encouraged Zimbabwean strong man, Robert Mugabe, to resign over growing human rights abuses in the country. When this proved ineffective, he spoke out publicly against Mugabe in 2007, asking him to step down "with residual respect and a modicum of dignity." President Obama: "We will not see the likes of Nelson Mandela again. It falls to us to carry forward the example that he set." - The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 5, 2013 President Obama: "I am one of the countless millions who drew inspiration from Nelson Mandela's life." - The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 5, 2013 A great light has gone out in the world. Nelson Mandela was a hero of our time. I've asked for the flag at No10 to be flown at half mast. - David Cameron (@David_Cameron) December 5, 2013 Ban Ki-moon on #Mandela: A giant for justice & a down-to-earth human inspiration. - United Nations (@UN) December 5, 2013 No one did more in our time for the values & aspirations of the UN: Ban Ki-moon on #Mandela. - United Nations (@UN) December 5, 2013 My respects to an extraordinary person, probably one of the greatest humanists of our time: Nelson Mandela. http://t.co/0iLg06VUEU - Joseph S Blatter (@SeppBlatter) December 5, 2013 Deeply saddened by the passing of #Mandela, a courageous, visionary leader who will always be remembered and will continue to inspire us all - Christine Lagarde (@Lagarde) December 5, 2013 Mandela's Indefatigable Spirit Will Continue To Inspire Present And Future Generations Of Africans - Pres. Jonathan http://t.co/uM0VUOoSQW - Reuben Abati (@abati1990) December 5, 2013 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 out of 1.6m candidates score 300 in UTME Written by Clement Idoko - Abuja Saturday, 04 May 2013 00:00 THE Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), on Friday, released the results of the 2013 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) with only 10 candidates out of a total of 1.6 million that sat for the examination scoring 300 marks and above. Registrar and Chief Executive of JAMB, Professor ‘Dibu Ojerinde, announcing the release of results of the examination, held last Saturday, to the press, on Friday, in Abuja, said that about 80, 419 results of the candidates that sat for the Paper Pencil Test and Dual Based Test were being withheld. Out of this figure, the results of 68,309 candidates from various centres are undergoing further screening to ascertain their culpability, while results of 12,110 candidates have been withheld for possible disciplinary action, Ojerinde said. The JAMB registrar disclosed that only 10 candidates scored up to 300 and above, although the general performance of candidates this year showed an improvement over last year. According to him, 628 candidates scored between 270 and 299 points, 33,115 scored between 250 and 269, while 704,298 candidates scored between 200 and 249 points. The breakdown indicated further that 127,017 candidates scored from one to 159, while 103,489 scored between 160 and 169 points. The JAMB cut-off mark for last year was 180 for universities and 160 for polytechnics and colleges of education. Ojerinde disclosed that a total of 1,670,833 candidates applied for admissions to universities while 28,977 applied to polytechnics. He said colleges of education had 28,445 applicants, while the paltry 25 candidates applied to study in Innovative Enterprises Institutions. He said: “last year, we had cases of specially designed slippers otherwise tagged “Magic Slippers” which desperate candidates used to perpetrate malpractice. This year witnessed a new turn as candidates wore long sleeve shirts that bore imprint of prepared answers. The vigilant eyes of my staff caught three of such T-shirts.” The “miracle shirts,” which the JAMB boss displayed to journalists, showed answers carefully written under the sleeves of the shirts. He said, “It looks neat and white, but inside it, there are some things written. Boys this time use their dresses to do such things.” Ojerinde also disclosed that results of some examination centres in Benue and Rivers states had been cancelled with the centres blacklisted as a result of widespread cheating and irregularities, including mass cheating, collusion by invigilators and centre coordinators, use of handsets and other foreign materials, pre-shaded answers and extortion of money from candidates by invigilators. For instance, the JAMB Registrar said that in Centre 3072, Elene-Okirika exam town, they were collecting N20,000 each from candidates. Also affected are Centres 11604 and 11605 Iga Okpaya exam town and Centre 35704, Nakar exam town, Benue. Another examination centre affected in the cancellation as listed by Ojerinde was Centre 2708 Port Harcourt Trans-Amadi Abuloma exam town, he said were collecting money from candidates and “we cannot continue to allow it.” The board has also recorded a total of 40,692 invalid results as a result of either multiple shading or no shading at all by the candidates. The JAMB registrar, however, warned candidates against Internet fraudsters claiming that they could upgrade their results. He said: “Information reaching us in JAMB shows that some internet fraudsters are already telling candidates that their results could be upgraded in one form or the other. “This is a pure deceit. The public and candidates are hereby advised to disregard these fraudsters since they do not have access to our data. Only the lazy and gullible will fall victim. “I received one message overnight. It said: ‘Do you know one Osiegbe Monday. He is demanding for N5000 or more for upgrading JAMB results. His account number is 2059466943.’ That is what they have resorted to now. We will find out who the owner of this account is. But definitely, I can assure, it doesn’t belong to any of my staff.” He noted that the details of the results in order of merit, by courses and institutions of choice candidates would be dispatched to universities, polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education and innovative institutions at the appropriate time for the purpose of 2013/2014 admissions exercise. Ojerinde also disclosed that the Computer Based Test scheduled for from May 18 to June 1 would hold accordingly and urged the candidates to reprint their e-registration slips afresh to further ascertain their CBT centres. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Imo pays stipends to school children April 29, 2013 by Ozioma Ubabukoh Imo State government has begun the payment of stipends to school children as well as distribution of school materials to public schools in the state. While inaugurating the programme at Owerri City School, Governor Rochas Okorocha said the exercise was aimed at encouraging school children in their studies and further creating conducive environment for learning. The governor, who was represented by his wife, Nneoma Okorocha, said secondary schools pupils would receive N500, while their counterparts in primary schools would receive N300 every term. “I am here to flag-off the payment of your stipend. Of course, you know that the governor loves you so much, with much interest in your education and future. His watchword to students is hard work,” the governor’s wife told the pupils. She further described education as a vital instrument to a child’s development, adding that the present administration would remain committed to transforming the education sector. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nigeria has worst global education indicators - UNESCO Written by Clement Idoko- Abuja Thursday, 14 March 2013 THE United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has released a damning report about Nigeria’s education sector. UNESCO Country Director in Nigeria, Professor Hassana Alidou, while speaking at the launch of the 2012 Education For All (EFA) Global Monitoring Report (GMR), said Nigeria has some of the worst education indicators globally. According to him, the report indicated that Nigeria has the largest population of out-of-school children. The report showed that Nigeria has about 10.5 million out-of-school children. Alidou further noted that the EFA global monitoring report revealed a high level of gender inequality and inequity which is very pronounced in certain parts of the country. The report also indicated that education costs are generally prohibitive in Nigeria among others. These indicators showed that Nigeria might not achieve the goal of Education For All, barely three years to 2015 global time line in spite of the commitment and efforts of the Federal Government toward attainment of same. Professor Alidou further said that since its first edition in 2001, the EFA global monitoring report had presented a thematic global view of the progress, challenges and prospects of achieving the six goals of Education for All, adopted in Dakar in 2000. She said that the pathway proposed in the report should be seen as a template or framework for government to address the basic, transferable and technical skills of the youth, as well as the challenges of access, equity, quality, gender and poverty trap. Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, in her remark, called on the private sector, civil organisations, international development partners and other stakeholders to support government’s efforts at ensuring quality education delivery for all, noting that government could not do it alone. Meanwhile the minister has frowned on what she described as poor public perception of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). She noted that this has negatively impacted on the efforts being made by government to revitalise the sector. Rufa’i said that there was the need to create constant public awareness among learners, families and all other stakeholders, on the possibilities for progression, employment and self-fulfilment that TVET could offer. She said that Nigeria recognises the crucial role TVET plays in poverty eradication, job creation, sustainable development and actualization of the Transformation Agenda, hence government’s efforts at widening access to Technical and Vocational Education and Training through the establishment of Vocational Enterprise Institutes (VEIs) and Innovation Enterprise Institutions (IEIs). In her words: “In spite of the success recorded, I must mention here that one crucial challenge affecting TVET in Nigeria is low societal estimation of TVET. In view of the negative public perception of technical/vocational education, and the gross gender imbalance, there is constant need for creating public awareness, especially to attract women and girls”. She also said that the current drive to reduce the number of out-of-school children was being strengthened by the gradual spread of the implementation of the Child Rights Act among the States, the establishment of model Almajiri schools in selected Northern States, increasing number of States accessing and utilizing the Universal Basic Education Intervention funds, among others. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Possible solutions to our failed higher institutions . Monday, 08 October 2012 00:00 Oluwayemisi Joseph You Report - YOU REPORT NIGERIA . .THE National Universities Commission Executive Secretary, Professor Julius Okojie recently noted that sixty per cent or more of our lecturers are without P.H.D degrees. What right to good quality of education does this give us the future leaders of this great country? In what ways does this prepare us for the unknown, unpredictable future? I think it is time we start asking ourselves this questions. The earlier we as one people realise that we can’t heal what we refuse to confront, the earlier we begin on our own journey to the rehabilitation of this once flourishing and bright education sector. It hurts to find that our educational institutions especially our colleges and universities are behind international standards in technology, research, development amongst many other things that have crippled the system. A country without quality education is synonymous to a system without a driving force, I mean a dead system. Education is a light that sheds the path to an unpredictable future, a future that will consider our methods of the present as primitive, just exactly the way we consider the past. It should not be compromised or short-changed for excessive looting of the country’s resources, or the excessive payment of government officials. Is there a solution to this delicate problem that might be putting the future of this country at a great risk? Personally, ‘yes’ is the answer to this sensitive question. But as one people, one nation, the decision completely depends on us. The moment we say ‘yes’ then we just unwrapped our determination to make things work for this precious sector of ours. We will also be showing the zeal in laying a solid foundation in education for generations yet unborn. When we as a people decide to confront the sector’s problems and ills, then we can be rest assured that we are starting to clean up the mess that has been piled and stacked over the decades. Let us assume we all as one people end up saying yes. How do we go about this transformation of the educational sector especially that of the higher institutions? What policies and structures are we to put in place to make this intended transformation a stunning reality? Why don’t we take a journey into history and try to figure out what brought upon us this predicament and then proffer solutions to each of them. Political instability will be the first thing that comes to mind. Ever since the year of Independence till the end of the military era in 1999, we have experienced gross political instability. The ever recurring military succession and coups have contributed as a major factor that has affected our educational systems negatively. Even in this present Nigeria where we practise democracy instabilities in our leadership. We do not have long term Ministers of Education; they spend just a short period of time performing their duties before they are being replaced by another. Usually, one comes on board and just decides to change everything according his or her taste without considering the changes and policies that the previous Minister had kept in place and it goes on and on. To solve the problem of leadership instability is to prevent the future Ministers of Education and all other people from changing policies and structures that have been kept in place without necessary or important reason. Another point that comes to mind is the inadequate fund provided to the higher institutions. And even the funds provided by the government are not channelled properly due to corruption and excessive looting at every level. My solution to this problem might sound absurd, but if properly considered is worth a shot. Students in higher education institution should be billed heavily, in this way the public institutions will be able to run their institutions without waiting for grants and funds from the government. The only way in which the government comes in, is by giving financial aid and scholarships to students who are in need or exceptionally gifted either in extracurricular activities or academics. In this way, the school will have sufficient money to run the school and technologically develop themselves by being able to afford modern research equipments and machinery. The institutions will also be able to send their lecturers to gather more experiences and the modern way of doing things from world renowned universities. In this way many things will fall in place. After the students who borrowed one financial aid or the other graduate and get jobs, they then start paying back to the government with very little interest rate depending on their jobs. With this method the quality of education will greatly increase. Let us ponder on the benefits of the method described above: 1) A significant increase in the quality of education is quickly felt and seen by everybody. 2) These prevent Nigerian parents from wasting millions of dollars every year in sending their children and wards to school outside this great nation Nigeria. This is implying that this money will now be spent in the country instead of outside. 3) The higher institutions will now be able to expand and increase their maximum intake of students every year. This will in turn reduce the pressure on students every year during the JAMB exams and also reduce the cut-off points entering various universities in the country. 4) Talented and well gifted professors who are gurus in their various fields and are Nigerians who also lecture abroad will be attracted to their country. 5) The educational institutions will attract foreign students who will definitely pay more. In this way the university generates more money for further development. 6) The alumni who turn out to be very important people in the world will then end up given back to the schools and increasing their reputations. I think as one people we should ponder about this, because the situation of our world depends on us. We are the determinants of our own world, we should always remember that. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DECLARES NOV 29 AS ‘FREE EDUCATION DAY’Category: 2012-11-30 05:41:14 HIS EXCELLENCY, OWELLE ROCHAS OKOROCHA Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has extended his free education programme to students from other States who are pursuing their educational career in Imo State owned tertiary institutions as government assumes the responsibility of paying 50 percent of their tuition fees. The governor disclosed this yesterday when the leadership of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and Students Union Governments of all tertiary institutions in Imo State paid him a solidarity visit at the Government House, Owerri yesterday. He reiterated the commitment of his administration towards making education free at all level in the State and urged his counterparts in other States to adopt similar policies aimed at providing opportunities for the youths. Speaking further at the event, Governor Okorocha declared November 29 as ‘Free Education Day’ to commemorate the solidarity visit by the leadership of NANS and urged students to make good use of the opportunity provided by his administration under the free education programme to build a better future for themselves and the society. Earlier, the leader of the delegation and president of NANS, Mr. Dauda Mohamed, said they came to demonstrate solidarity to Governor Rochas Okorocha for his outstanding achievements in the Education sector. He described the governor as a man that truly represents hope for Nigerian students, adding that his achievements within the short period in the education sector have remarkably placed him as the ‘Commander’ of free education in the country. The NANS president described critics of the free education in Imo State as enemies of Nigerian students and warned that the programme should not be politicized as the governor has done what many had described as impossible. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Govt begins overhaul of varsities, bureaucracy

TUESDAY, 03 APRIL 2012 00:00 FROM MARTINS OLOJA, ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF NEWS - NATIONAL

NTA, FRCN, VON to fuse
FRSC, NOSDRA, NESREA may get new status
Audit of tertiary education coming
ALMOST a year after he introduced the transformation agenda, which implementation so far remains but unimpressive, there are strong indications that the Goodluck Jonathan administration is now set to do the right thing.
In fact, there is a feeling of excitement among members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and top officials of the federal bureaucracy that the season of perceived complacency and absence of sense of urgency in the Jonathan Presidency is over.
The core elements of the new initiative as revealed to The Guardian are the overhaul of the country’s tertiary education system, scrapping or merging of agencies performing same or overlapping functions, and a significant cut down in budgetary allocation to current expenditure in favour of capital spending.
It was also learnt that based on a document derived from the recommendations of a series of committees on how to make the bureaucracy work better, agencies, which have been unable to deliver services to Nigerians, may be scrapped.
The document, substantially rely on the report of the Steve Oronsaye’s committee, which might be submitted to the government this week.
In the interim report, the panel proposed that agencies such as the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), National Environmental Regulation and Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and others in the Ministry of Environment be restructured to assume new status and under new supervisory ministries and agencies for optimal performance and cost effectiveness.
Similarly, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and the Voice of Nigeria (VON) may come under the umbrella of Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) with a Director-General as it is with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).
It was also learnt that the National Communications Commission (NCC) and the NBC might be merged in the new dispensation.
Presidency sources said that the President is in a hurry to receive the report, which forms a significant part of the transformation agenda, which had not been documented since May 29, 2011 when Jonathan assumed office.
A top government official disclosed that the document would be submitted shortly by Steve Oronsaye’s presidential committee on reform of government agencies.
It was however not clear when the Adamu Fika Presidential Committee set up in March 2011 would submit its report. The panel unofficially tagged “Reforming the Reform” did not include the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Tunji Olaopa, in the Bureau of Public Service Reform (domiciled statutorily in the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) office, even as a member.
Olaopa, until recently the Permanent Secretary, State House, then in the Office of Head of Service, was appointed Secretary of the Fika panel but was later dropped allegedly on the advice of the powerful committee.
The Fika Committee and the Dr. Lateef Adegbite Committee on Security were inaugurated by the President on Thursday, March 31, 2011 when he was still Acting President. The Fika Committee was set up on the advice of the then SGF, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, with the original purpose to reverse the tenure policy (for permanent secretaries and directors) of the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua administration.
Top public functionaries told The Guardian at the weekend that the reform of agencies panel report was significant to the administration’s resolve to reform the convoluted public sector, now seen as a major drain-pipe and haven of corruption.
They said the finance ministry and the Presidency were quite concerned about public expenditure profile of the government that put recurrent expenditure in the 2012 budget at 72 per cent while capital project expenditure attracted a paltry 28 per cent in an economy bereft of critical infrastructure.
The Jonathan administration, they declared, was serious in its resolve to scrap “redundant agencies” because “they do not add value to public service but continue to draw salaries and other allowances.”
According to them, the presidential panel has listed all the “redundant agencies” and others, which functions overlap and had recommended them for scrapping.
This aspect of the report is similar to that of Gen. Theophilus Danjuma Committee, which was dissolved late last year. The panel had recommended lean government to reduce its over-bloated expenditure.
The government is also working on the report of the Prof. Anya O. Anya Technical Committee on Review of Budgetary Allocation to Recurrent Expenditure, which it submitted on Monday, April 4, 2011. The Anya panel was inaugurated in September 2010.
The Oronsaye report is expected to contain the cost implications of running the agencies that may be affected, in this connection. The Guardian learnt from sources at the bureaucracy and political wings of the federal secretariat that the Reform of Agencies Committee held consultations with almost all tertiary institutions on the near collapse of universities and polytechnics in the country.
The best 10 universities in Africa in the current index are in South Africa and Egypt. University of Cape Town tops in the continent while the University of Cairo is third, Rhodes University, South Africa occupies the ninth slot while The American University in Cairo is Number 10.
Curiously, even the University of Ibadan (UI), which used to be fourth in the Commonwealth, is number one in Nigeria and number 30 in Africa.
Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia is number 31 while the University of Benin (UNIBEN) is number 32 in Africa and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) is number 38 and the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) until recently number one in Nigeria and number 40 in the continent.
Faced with this stark reality, the government is, however, optimistic that the report of the panel, alleged to have detailed the rot in the system, has promised to faithfully implement it.
Official sources said the interim report, which the government had studied, showed that the university governance system requires a comprehensive reform to the extent that the personnel expenditure had been identified as the major drain-pipe of the lean resources.
For instance, the universities’ main administration and indeed the teaching hospitals have been taking the bulk of the expenditure on the tertiary education sector while “capital projects” have been under-funded.
The interim report also revealed that most of the academic staff had been unable to access billions of naira of research funds domiciled in the Tertiary Education Fund (TertFund) formerly Education Trust Fund (ETF).
Anyim had hinted last week that the government might stop funding university education. It was not clear at press time whether the policy hint is a derivative or leak from the report.
Some of the revelations in the interim report showed that UI’s personnel cost yearly is N12.72 billion while overhead cost is N300 million and capital spending stands at N450 million.
For UNILAG, the personnel cost is N9.81 billion, overhead (N192 million), and capital (N450 million).
The situation at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) is not entirely different. The school has a personnel expenditure of N11. 22 billion, overhead (N254 million), and capital (N500 million).
UNIBEN spends N12.30 billion on personnel, overhead (N188 billion, and capital (N400 million).
Similarly, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria has a personnel cost of N12 billion, overhead N250 million, and capital (N400 million). Same for teaching hospitals, for instance:
At the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital, the personnel cost is N9 billion, overhead (N240 million), and capital (N322 million).
Also, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, personnel attracts N8.52 billion, overhead (N186 million), and capital (N305 million).

Author of this article: From Martins Oloja, Abuja Bureau Chief

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Okorocha’s relocation of Imo State University

By Emperor Iwuala

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Imo State University (IMSU) was originally modeled after the famous University of Nebraska in the United States of America . Accordingly, the Imo State Law No. 4 of 1981 provided for five temporary campuses for the university to be located at the existing five senatorial zones in the old Imo State.
College of Business Administration and Legal Studies was sited in Ngwa High School Aba for the then Aba Senatorial Zone, Engineering and Environmental Studies at Comprehensive Secondary School Awomama for Orlu Zone and Arts and Social Sciences at Mbaise Secondary School Aboh Mbaise for Owerri Zone while the College of Agiculture and Vet nary Medicine was to be in Uzoakoli Methodist College for the then Umuahia Zone. Madonna High School in Etiti was the site for Okigwe Zone.
It had the College of Medicine and Health Sciences and was also used as the university’s temporary headquarters.
Therefore, the school operated accordingly until 1985 when Senator Ike Nwachukwu as the then Military Administrator of the old Imo State vide the Imo State University Edict of 1985, relocated the school to a lone campus at Uturu-Okigwe. However, during the creation of Abia State, was severed from Okigwe to form part of Abia State. Consequently, Imo State lost the location and all the structures of Imo State University to Abia State and the latter used them in establishing its own state university today known as Abia State University (ABSU). Fortunately, Imo State did not lose the legal instrument establishing the school.
Therefore, in 1992, Late Senator Evan Enwerem’s administration, through a legislative enactment, relocated the university to Alvan Ikoku College of Education in Owerri and later moved the school to its present administrative headquarters also in Owerri metropolis. This site was supposed to be a temporary site which originally belongs to Federal Government Girls’ Secondary School Owerri. Reports also have it that Enwerem proposed to relocate the school to an acquired site in Ogbaku, Owerri West LGA of the state but did not actualize this before he was booted out of office by the military. Interestingly, Ex-Governor Achike Udenwa restored the multi-campus system of the university by establishing the university’s Teaching Hospital in Orlu and School of Engineering in Okigwe. During Ohakim’s regime, reports had it that the nature of the soil where the School of Engineering was sited in Okigwe was not conducive for a school of engineering.
However, at the twilight of that administration, the then Governor announced the relocation of the university to a site owned by Aboh Mbaise and Ngor Okpala. It is being alleged that this site was where late Sam Mbakwe had earlier proposed to site the institution.
Nevertheless, it is no longer a rumour now that Governor Rochas Okorocha has concluded plans to permanently relocate the entire university to his home town in Ideato South Local Government of Imo State. Previously, the Governor’s Commissioner for Information Dr. Obinna Duruji, had said that the Governor’s reason for this was to decongest Owerri metropolis. But in his 2012 budget proposal, the Governor said that his own reason for the relocation of the university was as a result of the directive from the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC).
To actualize the relocation, reports confirmed that the Governor has also been speedily erecting structures in his place for the institution. He has also provided allocation for the relocation in the said budget proposal recently presented to the Imo House of Assembly.
Unfortunately, this relocation has already started causing a lot of anxieties and has attracted a very wide condemnation from Imolites especially from the people of Owerri and Okigwe senatorial zones.
I want to join issues with the Governor’s claim that his reason for relocating the school was in compliance with NUC directive.
Recent findings show that there was no such directive from the commission. It was also discovered that NUC is only concerned with a minimum size of land required when an application for the establishment of a university is made which the spaces in Owerri campus and that of the teaching hospital have superseded. If the Governor’s claim is justified, then why has NUC not directed for the relocation of institutions like RSUST, UNICAL, UNEC, UNIUYO, UNIJOS, UNIBEN, UNILAG etc that are all located at the heart of metropolises in the country have not been relocated.
The next issue is that presently, the only tertiary institutions owned by Imo State are the Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo (IMOPOLY) and IMSU. FUTO, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education and Nekede Federal Polytechnics are all owned by the Federal Government. Incidentally, IMOPOLY is already in Orlu Zone and the IMSU Teaching Hospital where the highest amount of money in the university has been spent is also in same zone. Ironically, there is no move by the Governor to relocate these institutions outside the zone. Therefore, if the Governor succeeds in relocating what remains of the university to Ideato, it then means that no state owned high institution will be in both Okigwe and Owerri zones.
Incidentally, Imo State produces the highest number of JAMB candidates in the country every year. Therefore, it needs more universities than any part of the country. After loosing ABSU to our sister state, it took a lot of sweat for IMSU to come to its present level. I remember when I entered the school in 1997, people were calling the university a ‘glorified secondary school’.
Today, it has become a treasure and an object for politics. However, the Governor should know that every Imo son or daughter has a stake in that school. If the Governor is sincere, he can involve his so called private or foreign investors to build a university in his home town. In this era of increased federal allocations and commercialization of government agencies, he can also build a model university for the state that can even go full commercial.
Therefore, I do not think that this move is a sincere and fair one to the people of Owerri and Okigwe Senatorial zones. It is worse to Owerri Zone in particular who decided the Governor’s fate during the last election. If his reason is truly to decongest Owerri, one would have expected him to relocate the Owerri campus of the university to the sites provided by Mbakwe’s administration at Uvuru-Mbaise/ Ngorokpala or the Ogbaku site by Late Evan Enwerem. Also, it could have been more equitable to choose any other site in Owerri Zone and then actualize the School of Engineering in Okigwe.

Iwuala writes from Owerri

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Okorocha declares free education in Imo

Wednesday, 15 February 2012

THERE was jubilation in Owerri, the Imo State capital, as the state governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, on Tuesday, declared that no student or pupil of the state origin studying in any institution owned by the government would pay fees henceforth.
The governor also announced scholarships for all students of the state origin from primary to tertiary institution.
Speaking at the Imo Freedom Square, Owerri, Okorocha promised to pay scholarship of N100,000 to each student of Imo origin in Imo State University, adding that each recipient would get N70,000 free and N30,000 as a loan to be paid upon completion of studies, with no basis for collateral.
He also said students undertaking National Diploma (ND) at the state polytechnics would receive N60,000, with N40,000 free and N20,000 as loan, while those undertaking Higher National Diploma (HND) would get N60,000 free and N20,000 loan.
The governor disclosed that the scholarship fund would be paid from the next academic session, adding that by September, every school in the state would be autonomous.


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FG committed to improving Nigeria’s education sector -Minister

Written by Saliu Gbadamosi, Bauchi
Friday, 02 December 2011

THE Federal Government has reinstated its determination to improve Nigeria’s education sector, even as it stated that it would encourage reading habit among students in primary and secondary schools in the country.

Speaking at the readership promotion campaign organised by the National Library of Nigeria on Thursday, in Bauchi, aimed at cultivating and sustaining reading habits among Nigerians, the Minister of Education, Professor Rukayyatu Rufa’i, said government was committed to improving education, adding that, “government will also encourage schools to establish reading clubs in their schools.

“It is in line with this objective that all secondary schools invited will be given 75 titles of books and all the primary schools invited will be given 35 titles of books, in order to establish reading clubs in their schools and to lay a solid foundation for the sustenance of reading culture in schools.”

Represented by Mr T Tylor of the Federal Ministry of Education Inspectorate office in Bauchi, the minister said government expended money to construct prototype state branches of the National Library across the country.

While speaking at the event, the Director and Chief Executive of National Library of Nigeria, Mallam Habib Abba Jato, noted that poverty, economic status and lack of books published in the mother tongues were the major problems that were hampering the sustenance of the reading culture in the country.

He stressed the need to increase the quantity and varieties of reading materials in the country as well as find ways to eliminate the problems hampering sustenable reading culture in Nigeria.


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There are five institutions of higher learning in the state namely:

UNIVERSITIES:

Imo State University (IMSU)
Federal University Technology Owerri (FUTO)

POLYTECHNICS:

Federal Polytechnic, Nekede
Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwu

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION:

Alvan Ikoku College Of Education

PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTION OF LEARNING/TRAINING CENTRES:

1. NIIT
2. KARROX
3. APTECH
4. CMD(CENTRE FOR MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT)

OVERVIEW:

IMO STATE UNIVERSITY:
The Imo State University was first established in 1981 through law No. 4 passed by the Imo State House of Assembly. The 1981 law was amended by Edict No. 27 of1985; another in 1988 and finally for the relocation by law N.o 2 of 1992. The law was again reviewed in the year 2003.

The Imo State University is a fully functional University. Most of the programmes of the University have obtained full accreditation form NUC. Some of the programmes await the results of last year's accreditation. for more information visit www.imsu.edu.ng or email vc@imsu.edu.ng
Acting Registrar is Barr.Ifeanyi Aniche. Acting VC is Prof. Okere.
FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, OWERRI
The Federal University of Technology, Owerri was the first start. It started operating on November 28, 1980 in the premises of the old Government Technical College, Owerri with a compliment of ten staff borrowed from the Imo State Civil Service.
Founded 1980.
Ownership: Federal Government of Nigeria.
Faculty: 235
Enrolment: 4050
Federal University of Technology, Ihiagwa, Owerri
PMB 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
Contact: VICE CHANCELLOR:

FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC NEKEDE:

The Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri was initially established as the College of Technology, Owerri by Edict No 16 dated 1st April 1978 and was renamed in 1987, it was to The Polytechnic by Imo State Government. The Institution was taken over by the Federal Government in April 1993 and is now governed by Federal Polytechnics Act to perform the following functions to provide full-time or part time courses of instruction and training. For more information contact www. Nekedepolyportal.com
IMO STATE POLYTECHNIC, UMUAGWU
Is a state own university that offers training to students and award of diploma. For more information contact www.imopolyportal.com

ALVAN IKOKU FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION:

It is a College of Education situated within Owerri municipal city and was name after Alvan Ikoku, a Nigerian educator, activitist, and politician who died in 1971.Currently run by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

NIIT, KARROX, AND CENTRE FOR MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT:

These are information technology learning centres that provides in depth training and examinations in computer technology and are located in different locations in Owerri.
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IMO STATE LIBRARIES:

ADULT LEARNING DEPARTMENT:

For adult education and enlightenment where activities are paste for adult development.

CHILDREN�S DEPARTMENT:

Where books and material are offer for children enlightenment.

TRAINING AND RESEARCH DEPARTMENT:

To conduct research in some aspect of librarianship and other related fields, identifying problem and suggesting possible solution to problem.

HANDICAP DEPARTMENT:

Where materials and books are kept for the physically challenge.

BRANCHES OF IMO STATE LIBRARY:

Afara Library
Orodo Library
Umuhuokabia Library
Nkwerre Library
Isu Library
Okigwe Library
Orlu Library
Mbaise Library
Mbano Library
Obowo library

IMO STATE LIBRARY BOARD/PARASTATAL:

The Board is made of a chairman, a secretary and six members.