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Don Charts Path To Economic Growth

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13 years ago

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Prof. Tunde Samuel of the Lagos State University (LASU), has urged both the federal and state governments to embrace vocational and technical education for rapid economic transformation.

Samuel who made the call on Wednesday in Lagos during the institution’s 49th inaugural lecture said there was no need investing in a tertiary education system hat would not guarantee employment.

Delivering a paper entitled “Total Deregulation, the Inevitable Bitter-Pill; or Partial Deregulation, a Policy Heresy”, Samuel said total deregulation was inevitable even though it was inappropriate now.

“Deregulation of the tertiary education will enable the educational sector fulfill its social welfare function,’’ he said.

Samuel, a Professor of Economics of Education in LASU’s Faculty of Education, said the cost of running tertiary education was enormous and government was being over-stretched financially.

“The United Nations’ Unit Cost Estimate for tertiary education in Africa was now put at between N2.3 million and N1.5 million for upper limit and lower limit respectively.

“That figure covered a four year degree programme,’’ he said.

Samuel noted that majority of Nigerians would not have access to tertiary education with the current per capital rate of less than two US dollars per day.

He said the provision of education for all by the government was becoming increasingly difficult.

The university don however added that privatisation would encourage efficiency and effectiveness, “even though this would be at the expense of access”.

The former Special Adviser on Education to ex-Gov. Bola Tinubu of Lagos state said the Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) was a major reason for deregulation of tertiary education.

According to him, PPP was the rate of currency conversion, which eliminates differences in price levels among countries.

He said the weak exchange rate in Nigeria explained why university professors were poorly paid in spite of the noise-making about the new salary structures and allowances.

Samuel recommended that all tertiary institutions in the country must evolve strategic plan of action for meaningful development and transformation of the tertiary orbit.

He also urged all tertiary institutions to stop multiplying academic programmes when the existing ones were under-funded.

Samuel said while the 26 per cent benchmark by UNESCO was no longer realistic, the 2012 IMF per capital N1.5 million to N2.3 million represents a realistic per capital tertiary education.

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ENUC President tasks ASTEC foundation Schools on dedication, value oriented teaching 

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6 days ago

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March 23, 2026

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ASTEC Foundation Schools (AFS) owned by the seventh_ day adventist church had the distinct honour of hosting   the President of the Eastern Nigeria Union Conference (ENUC), Pastor Onyebuchi Thomas Opara, on his first official pastoral visit to the institution Owerrita in Abia state, recently.
The visit which  marked a significant moment in the history of the school, featured  the dedication of the newly landscaped roads, dedication of renovated buildings and the consecration of pupils and staff.
The ENUC President who was accompanied   by the President of the Aba North Conference (ANC), Pastor Henry Emeka Nwankwo, further emphasized  the importance of the visit and the strong support of the Church leadership toward the advancement of Adventist education.
It is noteworthy that Pastor Onyebuchi Thomas Opara also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Management of ASTEC, demonstrating his deep commitment to the institution’s progress and mission.
Addressing the teachers students and pupils of the college at Owerrenta in Abia state over the weekend,Pastor Opara charged the teachers to see themselves as missionaries within the school system, emphasizing the need to model Christ-like character and values before the pupils entrusted to their care.
 He encouraged them to regard their profession as a divine calling, shaping both the intellectual and spiritual lives of the learners.
In his welcome address, the Principal of ASTEC, Pastor Ahaoma Chigozirim Nwanma, PhD, warmly received the distinguished guests. He expressed heartfelt appreciation to the ENUC leadership for their continued support and commitment to the growth of the Adventist  institution and humbly solicited their prayers for the staff and pupils.
The Headmistress of ASTEC Foundation Schools, Mrs. Charity Nwankwo, delivered the vote of thanks, and  expressed  deep gratitude to Pastor Opara for his  pastoral visit and dedicatory prayers. She also acknowledged Pastor Henry Emeka Nwankwo and the ASTEC community  leadership team for their consistent support, guidance, and commitment to the development of the Foundation Schools.
A special recognition was accorded to the PTA Chairman, Hon. (MG) Uzoma George, for his invaluable contributions and steadfast support to the school.
The visit was graced by ASTEC  community leaders, as well as members of AFS staff and pupils, who gave a warm and enthusiastic reception to the visiting dignitaries.
The visit and dedication ceremony  reaffirmed  the shared commitment of the Church and school leadership to fostering a conducive learning  environment that promotes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and character development.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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Education

Opobo Kingdom moves to incorporate Ibani Language Into School Curriculum, Takes Off April 

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6 days ago

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March 23, 2026

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In a bid to preserve the cultural heritage and promote the values of Opobo Kingdom, the Ibani Language will be reinstated and incorporated into the various communities and institutions of learning.
This reinstatement was declared by the Amanyanabo-Elect of Opobo Kingdom, Alabo Charles Douglas MacPepple-Jaja, Jeki VI , saying that the initiative  will take effect from next month
The Amanyanabo-Elect made this statement during his speech  recently in port Harcourt,where he stated that the initiative was a key component hinged on his five-point agenda.
The Monarch explained that the goal was to enhance the indigenous language and incorporate everyone at different strata including children and youths from ages 4-16.
The King Elect further added that, in order to achieve this, there would be deployment of modern multimedia tools to facilitate the process.
The Monarch also assured that research techniques will be deployed as there will be partnership with schools and communities across the Opobo clan.
He maintained that the execution of the project is a major step in the preservation of the Ibani Language and Cultural heritage of the people.
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NUJ demands strong actions in revamping education in Rivers

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6 days ago

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March 23, 2026

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Members of the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have taken bold steps regarding the deteriorating educational standards across the state and called for urgent government actions to stem the tide. They argued that both basic and secondary schools across the 23 local government areas of the state require state government action towards restructuring the highly decayed infrastructure.
This was part of the eight-point communique reached at the end of the special congress of the union in Port Harcourt to mark the first-year anniversary of the present union leadership in the state. The union observed that if no immediate government action is taken to address the infrastructural decay in public schools in the state, the educational future in the state will be a mirage.
The communiqué signed by
Mr. Paul Bazia -Nsaneh
Chairman NUJ Rivers State Council ,
Ijeoma Tubosia Ph.D
Secretary NUJ Rivers State Council , and members of the
Communique Drafting Committee.
Dr. Justice Ihunwo – Chairman ,
Dr. Joy Grant-Amadi – Secretary and
Mr. Chukwudi Ejimofor – Member reaffirmed the position of the union on the state affairs and the nation at large.
The union also urged the state government, as a matter of urgent public concern, to commence the immediate employment of new teachers to fill the gaps caused by the dearth of teachers, stressing the need to post the would-be new teachers to local communities that are lacking teaching manpower.
Recently, the newly appointed Commissioner for Education in the state, Dr. Peters Nwagor, reaffirmed his commitment to implementing transformative education with the sole purpose of achieving inclusive and equitable learning across the state.
We hope that the commissioner will match his words with action and swing into action to give schools in the state a breath on new academic life.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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