Education
TETFund To Establish Academic Publishing Centres In Varsities
The Tertiary Institution
Trust Fund (TETFund) is to establish standard Academic Publishing Centres (APCs) in universities as part of measure to revive reading and writing culture.
The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Yola.
Bogoro said the contract for seven of the centres had already been awarded, with one sited in a university in each of the six geopolitical zones and Abuja.
The TETFund boss, who inaugurated the completed APC in Modibbo Adama University of Technology,Yola, said the remaining would be ready soon.
“ I am so happy to be here being the very first to be competed. We will provide printing facilities; we are going for the very best in the world,’’ Bogoro said.
Bogoro, who reiterated the fund’s commitment to massive intervention in upgrading public tertiary institutions, said the poor rating of Nigerian institutions was unacceptable.
He said no fewer than 7,000 lecturers out of the 12,000 sponsored abroad by TETFund for further studies had returned.
Bagoro gave an assurance that the lecturers would be provided with quality teaching facilities in line with best practices.
The executive secretary urged tertiary institutions to implement the policy of retaining their first class graduates, saying TETFund was ready to sponsor them for further studies.
He also urged state governments to stop playing politics with education by establishing tertiary institutions they could not fund.
“ Tertiary institutions should be established when the owner has the capacity to fund them. We should stop playing politics with education,’’ Bogoro said.
He lamented that between 90 and 95 per cent of infrastructure in many state-owned tertiary institutions were being provided by TETFund.
Bagoro also urged the Federal Government to ensure full release of money budgeted for its tertiary institutions.
He cited the case of University of Ibadan where over N300 million was appropriated for capital projects, with the institution receiving only N50 million.
“ We (TETFund) are by law an interventionist agency, we are not supposed to be the main provider of infrastructure, but ironically we have become the main.
“ We are saying if annual appropriated capital commitment are utilised to the level of pronouncement every year, it would go a long way in supplementing TETFund.
“ As I am talking now, a case is being made for upward review of the two per cent tax collection for the fund to four per cent; if that happens you can better imagine what TETFund will do, “ Bogoro said.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Prof. Okechuku Onuchuku, emphasised the need for students to go beyond academic achievements during the university’s 43rd Convocation ceremony.
The theme, “The University Culture In Practice, The IAUE Experience,” highlights the importance of embracing cherished traditions and intellectual values that define great universities.
Prof. Onuchuku encouraged the new graduates to work hard and persevere, noting that their convocation marks a new beginning in their careers and personal lives. He emphasised that they must prove themselves worthy of the certificates and prizes they have received.
According to him, out of 2,887 first-degree graduands, four made First Class, 403 secured Second Class Upper, 2,030 got Second Class Lower, and 450 graduated with Third Class. Additionally, 1,492 postgraduate students graduated, including 306 PhD holders.
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), praised the university’s commitment to academic excellence and institutional maturity. He commended the Acting Vice Chancellor for achieving full accreditation for 47 academic programmes and implementing the NUC’s Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards.
The administrator urged the new graduates to uphold the positive values instilled in them by the university and strive for continuous knowledge and improvement.
By: King Onunwor
The Niger Delta Students Union Government, Rivers State Chapter (NIDSUG), has suspended its planned protest against the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) state office in Port Harcourt. The suspension followed an intervention by the state Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju.
The students had planned to protest on Thursday, citing alleged neglect by the NDDC, particularly in welfare and capacity-building programmes for students from the state. However, after the police intervention, the students agreed to participate in a roundtable discussion with the commission to address their concerns.
NIDSUG leader, Comrade Loveday Njoku, expressed dissatisfaction with the commission’s alleged exclusion of students from benefiting from its programmes. He presented a seven-point demand, including the reintroduction of scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Njoku emphasised that education is crucial for community development and urged the commission to invest in the future leaders of the state.
The students warned that if their demands are not met, they will resume the protest and occupy the state commission office until their demands are addressed. Despite previous attempts to reach out to the commission’s management team, the students claimed their efforts were unsuccessful.
By: Akujobi Amadi
As part of efforts to improve the welfare and overall quality of education for students in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, the Sole Administrator, Sir (Dr.) Clifford Ndu Walter DSSRS, FCAI, JP, paid an unscheduled visit to Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi.
During the visit, Sir Walter expressed deep concern over the deplorable state of the school and its surrounding environment. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the development of the education sector, stressing its critical role in nation-building.
“I have visited the primary school in Ogbogoro, and now I’m here at the Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi. I am not satisfied with what I’ve seen,” he stated, indicating that more surprise visits to schools would follow.
To address the issues, the Sole Administrator directed the Council Engineer to commence process for rehabilitation of the school.
The visit was part of a broader initiative aimed at conducting on-the-spot assessments of educational facilities to determine the level of intervention required by the local government council.
Dr. Walter also assured the teachers of his unwavering commitment to revamp the school and improve the learning environment for both staff and students.