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‘School Reopening Without Adherence To COVID-19 Protocols, Dangerous’

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ibadan Chapter, has warned against the reopening of schools without provisions for schools to meet COVID-19 precautionary guidelines.
Its chairman, Prof. Ayo Akinwole, stated this in a release he made available to newsmen in Ibadan, yesterday.
Akinwole stated that the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on schools could be enormous if responsibility was not taken to ensure safety.
He warned that no pecuniary gains would be more than the lives of lecturers and their students.
Akinwole noted that before COVID-19 pandemic, public varsities were overcrowded with students and hostel facilities took more than its capacity.
He then warned parents not to jubilate at the news of a possible reopening of schools.
However, they should ask the government to put measures in place so as not to have a surge in COVID-19 that might happen as a result of ill-thought out reopening, he said.
“What we are simply saying is that the Federal Government should adhere to their own set guidelines.
“Our position, as a responsible union in all these is that; throwing schools open in the midst of all these, is an open invitation to the tragic explosion of the COVID-19 scourge on a scale never witnessed anywhere since its outbreak.”
He said that the union was aware that there had been agitations from some quarters for the government to reopen schools.
He said that those leading the campaign are the proprietors of private universities.
He said, “ASUU is not in any way opposed to this call.
“However, Nigerians should honestly interrogate this position. Has the Nigerian government met the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) criteria on COVID – 19 protocols in our institutions?
“COVID-19 pandemic is still very much with us. It is in recognition of this fact that the government itself has rolled out certain conditions to be met before schools are reopened.”
According to the ASUU chairman, How many of our public institutions can confidently vouch for the safety of our children given the available facilities such as: provision of running water for hand washing; social distancing among students.
He listed others to include: the use of recommended face masks and shields, which are key components of NCDC protocols?

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

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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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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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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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