Education

MDAs Receive New Challenge On ICT Training

Published

15 years ago

August 15, 2011

The Head of Service of the Federation, Prof Oladapo Afolabi has challenged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to pay more attention to effective Information and Communication Technology (lCT), capacity building for their workforce. Prof Afolabi, gave the charge in Abuja, at the first Annual National Conference on Outsourcing”.

Afolabi who was represented by Dr Dere Awosika, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology said that permanent secretaries, directors and other management staff of all MDAs, should step up efforts at building the ICT capacity of their workforce.

He said such capacity would enable staff to appreciate the efforts of applying ICT tools to improve their services. “Officers should be encouraged to communicate their non-confidential documents, letters, minutes of meetings, request for proposals, between and among themselves through their official website and then with the public,” Afolabi said.

Afolabi added that this must be encouraged until sufficient skills were acquired to position them to depend solely on ICT in transacting government businesses.

He said government must take full advantage of technologies to enhance its efficiency in the public service.

The Head of Service stressed that the civil service must join the transformation train first by digitalising the economy through its various activities, adding that lCT infrastructure deployment and its effective utilisation was the way forward.

Afolabi said that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan was committed to providing an enabling environment to drive effective and efficient services and encourage citizen’s participation in governance. One major area of focus in the government transformation agenda therefore, is a massive investment in the ICT infrastructure, promotion of paperless environment and improvement in the capacity of the drivers and the users of these capacities, “ he said .. Earlier, Prof. Cleopas Angaye, the Director General of NITDA, disclosed that a distinct outsourcing and IT Services Industry would soon evolve in the country.

Angaye noted that the Information Technology Enable Services (ITES) would be undertaken by Nigerian outsourcing companies. He, therefore, urged the Head of Service to be the principal champion for the development of an Information Technology Outsourcing Industry. Angaye said outsourcing industry enabled by the will and partnership of the public sector, would create over 500,000 jobs in the next few years,” he added.

meanwhile, Prof. Ita Ewa, the Minister of Science and Technology represented by Angaye, urged NITDA to take a lead in initiating programmes that would develop new market for Nigerian Outsourcing Industry.

He advised NITDA to collaborate with relevant agencies such as SMEDAN and the nation’s mission abroad to jointly host trade missions and exhibition to facilitate the participation of Nigerian companies in the global out sourcing.

Education

UNIPort Senate Grants Two-Year Amnesty to U2010–U2018 Students

Published

15 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Senate of the University of Port Harcourt Rivers state has approved a special two-year amnesty for students admitted between the 2010/2011 and 2018/2019 academic sessions who were unable to complete their programmes within the stipulated period.

This was contained in a statement by the university public relations officer,Dr Sammy Kpenu and made available to the tide over the weekend in port Harcourt.

The statement stated that eligible students are expected to submit formal applications addressed to the Vice Chancellor through their respective Heads of Department for review and necessary consideration.

The statement further stated that the approval provides a renewed opportunity for affected students to return, regularize their academic status, and successfully complete their studies.

According to the statement the amnesty also offers a fresh opportunity to students who had issues related to overstaying or other challenges that forced them to discontinue their programmes, to return and complete their academic pursuits.

The statement however said that the deadline for submission of applications end on 31st May, 2026 and therefore urge the affected students to take full advantage of the window the amnesty provided to realise their academic dreams.

Education

Education Commissioner Seeks media collaboration in Rivers

Published

15 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The River State Commissioner for Education, Dr Peters Nwagor has called on media practitioners in Rivers State to deploy their various communication platforms toward promoting government programmes and policies aimed at achieving sustainable development in the education sector. Dr. Nwagor made the appeal when members of the Etche Ethnic Practicing Journalists (EEPJ) paid him a courtesy visit in Office in Port Harcourt. The Commissioner emphasized the strategic role of the media in shaping public perception, promoting government initiatives, and supporting policies capable of improving the quality of education and human capital development in the state. According to him, constructive media engagement remains essential in creating public awareness on educational reforms, students’ welfare, infrastructural improvements, and other interventions being implemented by the state government. Speaking on the recent appro

Education

“FPOG Bonny Deepens Learning With Hands-On Expedition to NLNG Nature Park”

Published

3 weeks ago

April 27, 2026

The Tide

Academic expeditions and excursions take learning beyond the classroom, fostering personal growth, cultural understanding, and hands-on engagement with history, science, and nature. For the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny, such outings are a strategic tool for bridging theory with practice.

On Saturday, April 18, 2026, the Department of Science Laboratory Technology led students on an academic excursion to the NLNG Nature Park in Bonny. The team was led by the Head of Unit, Elizabeth Jumbo, alongside Ikor Peter, Usman Thaha, and Elekwachi Progress. The trip was designed to connect classroom instruction with real-life experiences.

According to the department, the excursion sought to deepen learning by linking theoretical knowledge with tangible, real-world exposure. The exercise also aimed to enhance student engagement and retention while promoting social-emotional skills such as collaboration and empathy. It further catered to diverse learning styles among the students.

Academic excursions offer clear benefits. Abstract concepts become concrete when students encounter them firsthand. A history lesson comes alive in a museum, while scientific principles are better understood in natural settings. Such interactive experiences are often more memorable than text-based learning alone.

The outings also build critical soft skills. Trips foster self-confidence, teamwork, communication, and resilience. They broaden cultural awareness and perspective by exposing students to new environments and ideas. For many, the experience sparks curiosity, promotes empathy, and can even influence future career paths.

At its core, the goal is to make learning personal, relevant, and interactive. The Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny says it is committed to providing a compass to academic excellence through active learning, consistent organization, and holistic student well-being. The SLT excursion reflects that approach in action.