Education

Kattey Gets 2014 WASU Gold Platinum Award

Published

12 years ago

June 9, 2014

West African Students
Union (WASU) has conferred the 2014 WASU Gold Platinum Award on the Dean, Church of Nigeria and Archbishop of Province of Niger Delta, His Grace, Most Rev. Ignatius C. O. Kattey, JP for his pragmatic leadership and a role model of West African soil.
A six-man WASU delegation-led by its Head of Parliament, Kelvin Paulineous of Cape Coast University, Ghana and General Secretary, Comrade Bamikole Oladele Babs, University of IIorin, said Kattey is the 56th awardee of WASU’s Hall of Fame since its inception 20 years ago.
At a special investiture last Friday at the 2014 Synod of the Diocese of Niger-Delta North, held at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Elekahia, WASU noted that part recipients of the award included Al-Hassan Watera, former Gambia President; Prof Wole Soyinka, M. Ibrahim, Kwame Nkrummah, former Ghanian Prime Minister and Justice Alfa Belgore of Nigeria.
Babs, in his speech before Kattey’s investiture, said the nomination of Kattey for the prestigious award followed due process having been submitted by a national jury consisting of eminent personalities and friendly organisations across the region and ratified by WASU parliament.
He said Katty is worthy to be honoured and celebrated being “a silent achiever, a man of gallant leadership capabilities, a man of enviable administrative meticulousness, dexterous sagacity and a distinguished plenipotentiary of West African Students”.
He recalled the welfare packages aof Kattey through which many students have benefited from his youth empowerment projects, while numerous other students are presently fulfilling their dream of being formally educated,
WASU also lauded Kattey’s commitment to education, youth empowerment and grassroot development and called on others in all tiers of government to emulate Kattey’s pragmatic qualities of a good leader.
Babs acknowledged that the challenges of leadership were enormous, but enjoined Kattey to see the honour as a catalyst that would spur him into greater works in a bid to making positive changes in the larger society.
According to Babs, the dream of building a better society is sacrosanct and tedious, but believed that a collective and collaborative efforts of all well-meaning citizens would go a long way in fast-tracking greater development of the society.
Archbishop Kattey who is also Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta North thanked WASU for the honour and assured that he would not relent in giving quality service to God and humanity.
Other members of WASU investiture delegation were Kuri Kaba, University of Science & technology, Kumasi-Ghana; Aziz Kamara, Florah Bay College, Sierra Leone, Peter Mogiza – University of the Gambia and Kaku Dominic – University of Togo, Lome.
The Tide learnt that WASU was founded in 1975 at the University of Science & Technology, Ghana and the regional students’ body is affiliated to the International Union of Students (IUS) and has a consultative working relations with UNESCO, UNICEF, ECOWAS and the African Union (AU).

Samuel Eleonu

L-R: Director, Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan, Prof. Bayo Okunade, Director, Open and Distance Education, National Universities Commission, Dr Suleiman Ramon-Yusuf, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, Registrar, University of Ibadan, Mr Olujimi Olukoya, at the first distinguished lecture of the University of Ibadan Distance Learning Centre in Ibadan last Wednesday.

Education

FG, ASUU Set Date to Sign Agreement

Published

7 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Government is set to formally sign an agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities following weeks of negotiations.

The development may be linked to the 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff proposed by the FG last month and accepted by the union.

A circular issued by the Ministry of Education invited Vice-Chancellors and Registrars of federal universities to witness the signing ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Conference Hall, Abuja.

The circular, dated January 5, 2026, and referenced FME/IS/UNI/ASUU/C.11/Vol.V/82, was signed by the Director of University Education, Rakiya Ilyasu, on behalf of the Minister of Education.

It was titled ‘Invitation to the Ceremony for the Signing of Agreement Between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities.’

The circular was sighted by our correspondent on Saturday and confirmed by the Ministry’s Director, Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade.

“This signing represents a critical milestone in promoting industrial harmony and improving teaching and learning in our universities.

“It also reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to the sustainable development of education in line with the Renewed

Attendance at the ceremony was declared mandatory for all invited university administrators, highlighting the importance attached to the agreement and its implementation.

Last month, the industrial crisis that had burdened Nigeria’s university system for 16 years following the 2009 Federal Government–ASUU Agreement saw the union accept the Federal Government’s proposed 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff.

It was reported that the deal, effective from January 1, 2026, would be reviewed after three years

Why FG Shouldn’t Be Blamed for Non-Implementation of Council Autonomy

Under the new terms, professors will earn a pension equivalent to their final annual salary upon retirement at age 70. The agreement also provides for the establishment of a National Research Council to fund research with at least one per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.

Other provisions include improved funding for libraries, laboratories, equipment and staff development, greater university autonomy, and the election of academic leaders, with only professors eligible to serve as deans and provosts. The pact also guarantees that no staff member involved in past industrial actions will be victimised.

Education

DSS, Rector Warn Kogi Poly Students Against Vices,Rumours

Published

7 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Kogi State Directorate of the Department of State Services (DSS) has warned fresh students of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, that security on campus is a shared responsibility, stressing that carelessness, poor judgment and rumour-mongering pose and ostentatious living pose greater dangers than most real threats.

The Director of the Department in the state, gave the warning in his speech, titled,”MANAGING SECURITY AND RUMORS ON CAMPUS at the 33rd Matriculation Ceremony for the students of 2025/2026 academic session of the Polytechnic on Thursday in Lokoja.

The director, represented by A. S. MUSA, emphasised that while Lokoja remains largely peaceful, no campus is immune from security challenges.

He identified theft of phones, laptops and wallets, infiltration of hostels by unauthorised persons, risky late-night movements and online scams targeting fresh students as recurring threats, most of which, he noted, are preventable through vigilance and discipline.

The security agency cautioned students against behaviours that weaken personal safety, including lack of security consciousness, predictable routines, drug abuse, drunkenness, sexual recklessness, ostentatious living and the lure of secret cults.

According to the DSS director,cultism, often disguised as “protection,” ultimately places students under violent control systems with devastating consequences, while flamboyant lifestyles and careless displays of wealth attract criminal attention.

Our correspondent reports that a major focus of the lecture was the danger of rumours, which the DSS described as “more destructive than real threats.”

According to him,false alerts about kidnappers, armed attacks, school closures or emergency evacuations,often spread through WhatsApp messages and voice notes,have previously triggered panic, stampedes and academic disruption on campuses, sometimes putting lives at risk without any verified danger.School supplies

He, therefore, advised to verify information strictly through official Polytechnic channels such as management announcements, Student Affairs notices and campus security units. The DSS boss warned that forwarding unconfirmed messages makes students unwitting accomplices in spreading fear and destabilising the academic environment.

On personal safety, he also urged students to always carry their identity cards, avoid lonely and poorly lit areas at night, secure their hostel rooms, challenge suspicious strangers and promptly report unusual activities.

He cautioned students to remain calm, obedient to lawful instructions and refuse to act on hearsay, adding that these virtues are critical responses during emergencies.

The DSS director reminded the matriculating students that security goes beyond physical safety to include protection of reputation, mental stability and future prospects.

By rejecting rumours, cultism and reckless living, and by embracing responsibility and alertness, students can be rest assured that Kogi State Polytechnic can remain a safe, peaceful and conducive centre of learning for all.

Declaring event open, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Prof.Salisu Ogba Usman, matriculated 4,591 students into seven schools and 57 academic programmes of the Polytechnic.

“Of this number,2460 students (54 percent) are admitted into National Diploma Progrmes, while 2,131 students (46 percent)are admitted into Higher National Diploma 1 programmes”,Usman said.

He further reviewed that 19 out of the 57 Programmes currently run by the polytechnic were introduced under the present administration in the state.

Prof.Usmam expressed the continued commitment of the Polytechnic to uphold discipline, transparency,and zero tolerance for all forms of social Vices ,while promoting peaceful coexistence,responsible leadership and mutual respect.

“Our emphasis on security, moral discipline and academic integrity is non-, negotiable and central to our institutional philosophy,” the Rector stressed.

He urged the new students to take full advantage of the opportunities available in the Polytechnic and to conduct themselves in ways that will bring honour to their families ,the Polytechnic and the nation at large.

Usman said the polytechnic has pursued inclusive leadership by institutionalizing transparency, strengthening staff welfare engagement,and integrating student leadership into governance processes.

According to him the gender distribution is equally encouraging, with 52 percent, male and 48 percent female, representing steady progress in the gender balance of the Polytechnic.

He promised that the “shall continue to uphold discipline, transparency and zero tolerance for all forms of social vices,while promoting peaceful coexistence,responsible leadership and mutual respect.

The Rector stressed that the emphasis of the Polytechnic on security, moral discipline and academic integrity is non-negotiable and central to its institutional philosophy.

He urged the new students to take full advantage of the opportunities available in the polytechnic and conduct themselves in ways that will bring honour to their families,the polytechnic and the nation at large.

“Together we shall continue to reposition Kogi State Polytechnic as a reference point for excellence in polytechnic education in Nigeria,” he promised.

Education

FG Bans Disposable workbooks, introduces reusable textbooks in schools

Published

8 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Government has rolled out a new education policy banning disposable workbooks and mandating the use of reusable, high-quality textbooks in schools, in a move aimed at reducing the rising cost of education for parents, improving learning outcomes and promoting environmental sustainability.School supplies

The policy was unveiled by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaba Sai’d, as part of sweeping reforms targeted at repositioning Nigeria’s education sector and easing the financial burden on families.

Under the new framework, schools are required to adopt standardised and durable textbooks designed to last between four and six years.

The policy expressly prohibits the practice of bundling disposable workbooks with textbooks, a practice the government says has inflated school expenses and contributed to unnecessary waste.

According to the ministers, the reusable textbook initiative will enable siblings to share learning materials across academic sessions, significantly reduce recurring education costs for parents and limit waste generation within the school system, thereby advancing national sustainability goals.

As part of the broader reforms, the Federal Government has also introduced a uniform academic calendar to ensure consistency in teaching, learning and school planning across the country.