Education
Don Supports Funding For Nomadic Education In 2021 Budget
A University teacher,
Mary Oyewale, on Saturday, expressed support for improvement in educational provision and training opportunities, under the 2021 budget, specifically for Nomads, for them to be part of the nation’s development plans.
Oyewale of the Department of Arts and Languages, Faculty of Education, Ekiti State University, who made the call in an interview with newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, stated that every Nigerian child had a right to equal educational opportunity, irrespective of real or imagined disabilities.
“There is the need for the nomads to be given attention academically, in order to satisfy their educational needs and interests. No doubt that great quality assurance will be achieved in the Nomadic Education programme in Nigeria, if given the desired encouragement,” she said.
Oyewale further said that the importance of nomadic education could not be over-emphasised as it was a means by which society eradicated illiteracy and enhanced the socio-economic conditions of the rural populace.
She identified challenges confronting nomadic education to include inadequate teaching and learning materials, lack of up-to-date statistics and lack of developed policies aimed at providing nomads the type of education that suited their lifestyle.
Others, she said, were insufficient funds, inadequate infrastructure, lack of adequate supervision and monitoring by local, state officials.
The don recommended the inclusion of members of nomadic groups in national planning and decision making, as concerned nomadic issues, in order to achieve the desired objectives and targets.
She urged governments at all levels to create avenues for feedback from the people as regards developments on nomadic education.
Oyewale also called on the National Commission for Nomadic Education (NCNE) to ensure recruitment and training of more teachers for deployment to areas where nomadic education was being practised.
“The use of information and communication technology can also be of great assistance in championing nomadic education, especially in dealing with difficulties over COVID-19.
“Since the Fulani nomads stay mostly in the bush and always on the move with their families information, communication and technology (ICT)-based distant teaching and learning may be of great help in bridging the educational gap,” Oyewale added.
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.